ZAPS 2.0 Instructor Notes | Sensory Memory
Time Needs
About 20 minutes
Topic & Objective
Better understand sensory memory and what distinguishes it as its own memory system.
Students will learn about iconic memory and echoic memory through everyday examples and
explanation of George Sperling’s classic “Partial Report” and “Full Report” perceptual
experiments.
Textbook Reference
 Chapter 6: “Updating the Modal Model” sub-heading, pp. 188-190
Lab Stage
Introduction
Experience
Your Data
Discussion
Learning Check
What Students See & Do
Introduction to sensory memory, including an explanation of iconic
memory and a brief introduction to George Sperling’s experiments.
Students take part in an activity similar to Sperling’s Partial Report
experiment. Students will complete 36 trials where a matrix of 9 letters
appears very briefly and they must recall one randomized row of letters
immediately after.
Students view their data from the Experience activity in the form of a bar
graph, a table, or as raw data. They observe how their percentage of letter
recall differs based on the length of delay between stimulus and recall.
Additional explanation of Sperling’s experiments with focus on his
discovery of the duration of iconic memory. Coverage of echoic memory
and how sensory memory allows for fluid and meaningful perception.
One true/false question and two multiple-choice questions quiz students
about Sperling’s findings and the differences between iconic and echoic
memory.
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