Discussion

This experiment aimed to examine how the amount of subject matter affects

retention memory recall. The analysis of the results have shown that the mean score

of six-digit groups total number of retention was comparably higher than the nine-

digit group, and the eighteen-digit group scored least among the groups. It implies

that the participants retained larger amount of numbers if the digit of such numbers

are lesser. Our hypothesis states that the amount of digit has an effect on retention

process, and therefore, our results support the statement.

The long-time established explanation of word length effect is explained by

increased difficulty of items (Neath and Nairne,1995), or longer rehearsal times

(Baddeley,1986, 2003; Page and Norris, 1998; Burgess and Hitch, 1999). The first

statement propose that it is easier to recall shorter words. The second statement

propose that, it is easier for short words to be rehearsed due to shorter rehearsal

time, and more subjects are recalled. The first statement proposes that it is easier to

recall shorter words, while the second statement proposes that, it is easier for short

words to be rehearsed due to shorter rehearsal time, and more subjects are recalled

(Katkov, Romani, & Tsodyks (2014). Sequence learning is said to be a critical Commented [e1]: Should I remove this part? This is
about chunking from my journal.
component of human intelligence. The ability to recognize and produce ordered

sequences is a defining feature of the brain and a key component of many cognitive

performances. By segmenting a sequence of elements into blocks, or chunks,

information becomes easier to retain and recall in the correct order (Fonollosa, Neftci,

& Rabinovich, 2015).

In this experiment, three sets of sequences were used in order to examine

whether it made a significant difference in the participants ability to retain and recall.

Our experiment utilizes three sets of sequences: Our experiment utilizes three sets

of sequences: three sets of six-digit numbers, two sets of nine-digit numbers and one

set of 18-digit numbers. According to a study by Mathy and Feldman (2012), longer

sequences are on average more difficult to remember. Compressibility of a string of

information, which is reflected in its regularity and redundancy, exerts a measurable

influence on the subjects ability to remember it. Due to this explanation, we

expected to see in the results that the group who received the three sets of six-digit

numbers will have better recall outcomes than the group who received the two sets

of nine-digit numbers and one set of 18-digit numbers.

References:

Fonollosa, J., Neftci, E., & Rabinovich, M. (2015). Learning of Chunking Sequences

in Cognition and Behavior. PLOS Computational Biology PLoS Comput

Biol,11(11). doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004592

Katkov, M., Romani, S., & Tsodyks, M. (2014) Word length effect in free recall of

randomly assembled word lists. Front. Comput. Neurosci. 8:129. doi:

10.3389/fncom.2014.00129

Mathy, F., & Feldman, J. (2012). Whats magic about magic numbers? Chunking

and data compression in short-term memory. Cognition, 122(3), 346-362. 10

doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2011.11.003