Some Relevant Factors in the Transfer of Material from Short-Term to Long-Term Memory

Abstract

The relationship between short-term memory (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) for digits was investigated by means of a Hebb-type experiment, viz. a presentation of a series of nine-digit numbers, in which a certain number recurs at intervals. Improvement in performance, with regard to the critical, or recurring, number was found when the rehearsal grouping was three-three-and-three, but was absent when there were no opportunities for rehearsal or when the rehearsal strategy was grouping five-and-four or searching for systematic numbers. However, if an overt recall response was given on each occasion the recurring number was presented, improved performance was found even with rehearsal strategy five-and-four. The conclusion was drawn that rehearsal is the main transferring mechanism from STM to LTM, with the occurrence of an over recall response as a subsidiary factor.