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Memory transfer process: an extension of the Sternberg paradigm
L M Van Dusen1, B K Britton, S M Glynn
1Department of Psychology, Utah State University, Logan 84322-2810.
The American Journal of Psychology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Activating action plans involves a time-consuming cognitive transfer process. Interruptions require restarting the entire activation sequence for these mental operations.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Memory Research
Background:
- Sternberg's (1969) research identified a transfer process for activating stored declarative knowledge.
- Previous studies focused on activating distinct lists of information.
- The cognitive mechanisms underlying action plan activation remained less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cognitive processes involved in activating action plans.
- To extend understanding of knowledge activation beyond declarative memory.
Main Methods:
- Two experiments were designed to study the activation of action plans.
- Action plans were defined as sequences of mental operations to achieve a goal.
- Activation time and the effect of interruptions were measured.
Main Results:
- Activation time for action plans correlated positively with plan length.
- Interruptions necessitated restarting the entire activation process from the beginning.
- Findings suggest a sequential transfer of action plan elements from long-term to short-term store.
Conclusions:
- The results support a time-consuming transfer process for action plan activation.
- This process involves moving elements of action plans into short-term storage.
- Implications for using controlled knowledge in cognitive tasks are discussed.