Are STM and LTM really distinct?
Double-dissociation method
Variables that affect the pre-recency portion of the
serial position function:
a. presentation rate
b. word frequency
c. semantic relatedness of words
d. normal vs retardate
Variables that affect the recency but not the prerecency portion of the serial position function:
a. final distractor task
b. rhythmicity of word presentation
Difference in how information is represented in STM vs
LTM.
Neuropsychological Evidence (another form of double
dissociation)
H.M.
After bilateral hippocampectomy, great difficulty in
adding new declarative information to LTM.
Normal STM.
K.F.
Left parieto-occipital lesion.
STM span of one or two items.
Peterson & Peterson results uniformly low (no STM
contribution)
Normal pre-recency portion of the free recall serial
position function.