Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology |
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16 syllables 16-syllable series 24 hours later actual after-effect amount approximately asso association average values calculated causal causal systems central value Chapter combination connection constant mean values course decrease derived series distribution double tests duction effect errorless reproduction existence experimental experiments geometrical progression greater Greek alphabet immediate succession increase influence inner intermediate syllables interval intervening members investigations law of errors learned by heart length less limits measure memorisation mental mental events method natural science Number of deviations number of repetitions number of syllables numerical results occur original series possible reproduction present probable error processes recited relation of dependence relearning repe repeated repetitions necessary RETENTION saving seconds Section Section 31 separate series separate values series by skipping series of 16 series of ideas series of syllables series were learned similar six series stanzas strength Sum of series syllable series taken tion titions transformed series
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Page 28 - Consequently it is unavoidable that. after the observation of the numerical results. suppositions should arise as to general principles which are concealed in them and which occasionally give hints as to their presence. As the investigations are carried further. these suppositions. as well as those present at the beginning. constitute a complicating factor which probably has a definite influence upon the subsequent results.
Page 5 - It is because of the indefinite and little specialised character of our knowledge that the theories concerning the processes of memory, reproduction, and association have been up to the present time of so little value for a proper comprehension of those processes. For example, to express our ideas concerning their physical basis we use different metaphors— stored up ideas, engraved images, well-beaten paths. There is only one thing certain about these figures of speech and that is that they are...
Page 4 - Under ordinary circumstances, indeed, frequent repetitions are indispensable in order to make possible the reproduction of a given content. Vocabularies, discourses, and poems of any length cannot be learned by a single repetition even with the greatest concentration of attention on the part of an individual of very great ability. By a sufficient number of repetitions their final mastery is ensured, and by additional later reproductions gain in assurance and ease is secured. Left to itself every...
Page 7 - ... method. We all know of what this method consists: an attempt is made to keep constant the mass of conditions which have proven themselves causally connected with a certain result; one of these conditions is isolated from the rest and varied in a way that can be numerically described; then the accompanying change on the side of the effect is ascertained by measurement or computation.
Page 74 - ... hours the work to be made up amounted to two thirds of the first effort. Gradually, however, the process became slower so that even for rather long periods the additional loss could be ascertained only with difficulty. After 24 hours about one third was always remembered; after 6 days about one fourth, and after a whole month fully one fifth of the first work persisted in effect. The decrease of this after-effect in the latter intervals of time is evidently so slow that it is easy to predict...
Page 29 - ... especially large or small numbers are expected it would tend to further increase or decrease the values" (p. 29). Ebbinghaus was, of course, speaking of himself as both E and S. Nevertheless, on the basis of his thinking and of more contemporary observations, it was decided to test Ebbinghaus' hypothesis of the effect of early data returns on data subsequently obtained by Es.
Page 23 - Such are associations which dart here and there, different degrees of interest, lines of verse recalled because of their striking quality or their beauty, and the like. All this is avoided with our syllables. Among many thousand combinations there occur scarcely a few dozen that have a meaning and among these there are again only a few whose meaning was realised while they were being memorised. However, the simplicity and homogeneity of the material must not be overestimated. It is still far from...
Page 92 - According to this conception, therefore, the associative threads, which hold together a remembered series, are spun not merely between each member and its immediate successor, but beyond intervening members to every member which stands to it in any close temporal relation. The strength of the threads varies with the distance of the members, but even the weaker of them must be considered as relatively of considerable significance. The acceptance or rejection of this conception is clearly of great...
Page 110 - As a result of the learning of a series certain connections of the members are therefore actually formed in a reverse as well as in a forward direction
Page 23 - ... it contains now a phrase that is pathetic, now one that is humorous; its metaphors are sometimes beautiful, sometimes harsh; its rhythm is sometimes smooth and sometimes rough. There is thus brought into play a multiplicity of influences which change without regularity and are therefore disturbing. Such are associations which dart here and there, different degrees of interest, lines of verse recalled because of their striking quality or their beauty, and the like. All this is avoided with our...