About the lecture

In this lecture, we think about laboratory memory research, focusing in particular on: (i) an example laboratory study of memory using a word recall test; (ii) a perceptual-motor task example in the context of a laboratory experiment; (iii) testing working memory using simultaneous memory processing tasks, contrasting results between multiple tasks using the same ‘memory stream’ and tasks which require the use of distinct ones; (iv) the process by which ‘chunks’ of information are decided to be bound together as one unit; (v) an experiment which presents lists of words, one containing phonologically distinct words and another containing phonologically similar words, to test whether this phonological similarity has an impact on memory; (vi) results being that if the phonologically dissimilar words are more easily remembered, then it demonstrates that the short term memory utilises phonological information to help remember distinct words; (vii) the fact that these tests have been used in numerous studies to help build knowledge on memory; (viii) the issue of individual variation in memory ability affecting the generalisability of experiment results; (ix) the issue of contextual environment affecting memory performance, highlighting the benefits of natural experiments, despite the loss of the controllability found in a laboratory experiment; (x) the fact that expressions of memory don’t necessarily tell the researcher what is happening in the brain; (xi) brain scanning machines as a way of assessing brain activity during memory and recall; (xii) accessibility of participants, which can limit the generalisability of results to wider populations.

About the lecturer

Dr Dean Burnett is a neuroscientist, author and honorary research associate in the Centre for Medical Education at Cardiff University. Dr Burnett’s research interests are in neuroscience, science communication and psychology. Some of Dr Burnett’s recent books include Psycho-Logical (2019) and Why Your Parents Are Driving You Up The Wall And What To Do About It (2019).