Is Chunking or non-chunking of visual stimuli more likely to affect the capacity of short-term memory? NAME: Thien An
Introduction Communicating statement
Much research has been conducted on short-term Discussion
memory (STM) which showed that its capacity, typically 5- The results collected suggest that the group with chunked visual stimuli
Chunking of visual
had a higher mean accuracy of image recall (percentage) than the group
9 items, can be increased through chunking. The
with non-chunked visual stimuli. For the group that was presented with
Atkinson-Shiffrin model describes memory as interacting
chunked images, the mean accuracy was 80%, while the group that was
through encoding, storage, and retrieval across sensory,
presented with non-chunked images was 75%.
short-term, and long-term memory (Edrolo, 2023). Studies Overall, when testing the high school students, the chunking group had a
stimuli may increase
like Woods et al. (2011) found chunking improves STM slightly higher mean average recall percentage compared to the non-
precision and reliability, and Suppawittaya et al. (2021) chunking group almost every time. Thus, suggesting a strong correlation
demonstrated that dividing information into 2-3 chunks between the chunking of visual stimuli and capacity of short-term
enhances STM retention. memory.
short-term memory
The following study aimed to investigate whether The calculated standard deviation for both groups (chunked and non-
chunked) both showed low values (0.162~ and 0.133~ respectively),
chunking affects the capacity of STM. It was hypothesised
suggests that values are more clustered around the mean and that there
that chunked visual stimuli would increase STM capacity
are likely no outliers in the results.
compared to non-chunked stimuli in high school students,
The study's methodology had limitations due to ambiguous visual
with the IV being whether the visual stimuli was chunked stimuli, causing inconsistent answers and potentially inflated scores. This
or not chunked and the DV being the number of images issue affected validity and reliability. Using clear, real fruit images could
recalled (out of12). minimize these problems and improve results.
A limitation of the study was non-standardized procedures, as
participants viewing stimuli on smaller screens had difficulty identifying
images, affecting recall accuracy. Standardizing procedures across
groups would minimize this issue.
Results The study found that chunking visual stimuli enhanced short-term
Results were collated and the following calculations were used: mean percent, mean score out of 12, and standard deviation. These findings are represented in the
following figures:
Table 1: Accuracy of Image Recall (Mean memory capacity, aligning with Atkinson-Shiffrin’s model, which suggests
Score /12) short-term memory can retain 5-9 items and is improved by chunking.
Age Groups Chunked Non-chunked
Method Y7 (12-13 years) 9.0/12 8.9/12
The current study complements Suppawittaya et al. (2021)’s research,
The current study used a between subjects' design and convenience showing that chunking information into 2-3 chunks improves short-term
sampling for the study to be time efficient and cost effective. A between Y9 (14-15 years) 11.3/12 8.9/12 memory, as the chunking group had higher recall rates.
subject’s design was chosen so that order effects would not take place. Y11 (16-17 years) 8.0/12 9.0/12
The present study ensured validity and reliability by using standardised Total 9.6/12 8.9/12
instructions, which excluded language that could lead the participants, SD 0.161986 0.132861
and standardised procedures, which showed consistent times to complete
Conclusion
the task throughout all the different experimental groups. Graph 1: Mean Accuracy of Image Recall In conclusion, the study supported the hypothesis that
Researchers conducted a STM experiment on capacity, obtaining teacher 100%
chunking visual stimuli improves short-term memory in high
consent and informing students of their rights. Participants memorized
school students, with chunked stimuli leading to higher recall
90%
images shown on a screen, with different groups viewing images for 80%
accuracy. However, due to convenience sampling and
Percentage of correct answers (%)
varying times. After a recall test, students were debriefed on the study’s 70%
purpose, given time for questions, and thanked for participating. 60% extraneous variables, the findings are not generalizable.
50%
Chunked
Non-chunked Although a healthy sample size was used, the sampling
40%
technique limits its representativeness of the broader
30%
20%
population, and uncontrolled variables may have affected the
10% relationship between chunking and recall accuracy.
0%
Y7 (12-13 years) Y9 (14-15 years) Y11 (16-17 years) Total
Future researchers can build on this study by using more
Age Groups representative samples, including diverse individuals from
varying backgrounds. Additionally, researchers must control
extraneous variables, such as using clear and recognizable
images to prevent ambiguity. This study can serve as a
baseline for future research on short-term memory, with
potential for replication under improved conditions.
References
Suppawittaya, P., & Yasri, P. (2021). The Comparison of Chunking Methods to Enhance the Cognitive Capacity of Short-term Memory to Retain Textual Information among High School Students. International Journal of Research in STEM Education, 3(1), 27–35. Retrieved from
https://jurnal-fkip.ut.ac.id/index.php/ijrse/article/view/502
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2978794/ ,February 1st 2012, Woods DL, Kishiyamaa MM, Lund EW, Herron TJ, Edwards B, Poliva O, Hink RF, Reed B. Improving digit span assessment of short-term verbal memory. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2011 Jan;33(1):101-11
Edrolo et al., Edrolo VCE Psychology Units 3 & 4, (2023), Pg. 232-245, 8, 14, 19, 21-22, 30-32, 36-41, 49-51, 61-62, 69-73
Introduction Communicating statement
Much research has been conducted on short-term Discussion
memory (STM) which showed that its capacity, typically 5- The results collected suggest that the group with chunked visual stimuli
Chunking of visual
had a higher mean accuracy of image recall (percentage) than the group
9 items, can be increased through chunking. The
with non-chunked visual stimuli. For the group that was presented with
Atkinson-Shiffrin model describes memory as interacting
chunked images, the mean accuracy was 80%, while the group that was
through encoding, storage, and retrieval across sensory,
presented with non-chunked images was 75%.
short-term, and long-term memory (Edrolo, 2023). Studies Overall, when testing the high school students, the chunking group had a
stimuli may increase
like Woods et al. (2011) found chunking improves STM slightly higher mean average recall percentage compared to the non-
precision and reliability, and Suppawittaya et al. (2021) chunking group almost every time. Thus, suggesting a strong correlation
demonstrated that dividing information into 2-3 chunks between the chunking of visual stimuli and capacity of short-term
enhances STM retention. memory.
short-term memory
The following study aimed to investigate whether The calculated standard deviation for both groups (chunked and non-
chunked) both showed low values (0.162~ and 0.133~ respectively),
chunking affects the capacity of STM. It was hypothesised
suggests that values are more clustered around the mean and that there
that chunked visual stimuli would increase STM capacity
are likely no outliers in the results.
compared to non-chunked stimuli in high school students,
The study's methodology had limitations due to ambiguous visual
with the IV being whether the visual stimuli was chunked stimuli, causing inconsistent answers and potentially inflated scores. This
or not chunked and the DV being the number of images issue affected validity and reliability. Using clear, real fruit images could
recalled (out of12). minimize these problems and improve results.
A limitation of the study was non-standardized procedures, as
participants viewing stimuli on smaller screens had difficulty identifying
images, affecting recall accuracy. Standardizing procedures across
groups would minimize this issue.
Results The study found that chunking visual stimuli enhanced short-term
Results were collated and the following calculations were used: mean percent, mean score out of 12, and standard deviation. These findings are represented in the
following figures:
Table 1: Accuracy of Image Recall (Mean memory capacity, aligning with Atkinson-Shiffrin’s model, which suggests
Score /12) short-term memory can retain 5-9 items and is improved by chunking.
Age Groups Chunked Non-chunked
Method Y7 (12-13 years) 9.0/12 8.9/12
The current study complements Suppawittaya et al. (2021)’s research,
The current study used a between subjects' design and convenience showing that chunking information into 2-3 chunks improves short-term
sampling for the study to be time efficient and cost effective. A between Y9 (14-15 years) 11.3/12 8.9/12 memory, as the chunking group had higher recall rates.
subject’s design was chosen so that order effects would not take place. Y11 (16-17 years) 8.0/12 9.0/12
The present study ensured validity and reliability by using standardised Total 9.6/12 8.9/12
instructions, which excluded language that could lead the participants, SD 0.161986 0.132861
and standardised procedures, which showed consistent times to complete
Conclusion
the task throughout all the different experimental groups. Graph 1: Mean Accuracy of Image Recall In conclusion, the study supported the hypothesis that
Researchers conducted a STM experiment on capacity, obtaining teacher 100%
chunking visual stimuli improves short-term memory in high
consent and informing students of their rights. Participants memorized
school students, with chunked stimuli leading to higher recall
90%
images shown on a screen, with different groups viewing images for 80%
accuracy. However, due to convenience sampling and
Percentage of correct answers (%)
varying times. After a recall test, students were debriefed on the study’s 70%
purpose, given time for questions, and thanked for participating. 60% extraneous variables, the findings are not generalizable.
50%
Chunked
Non-chunked Although a healthy sample size was used, the sampling
40%
technique limits its representativeness of the broader
30%
20%
population, and uncontrolled variables may have affected the
10% relationship between chunking and recall accuracy.
0%
Y7 (12-13 years) Y9 (14-15 years) Y11 (16-17 years) Total
Future researchers can build on this study by using more
Age Groups representative samples, including diverse individuals from
varying backgrounds. Additionally, researchers must control
extraneous variables, such as using clear and recognizable
images to prevent ambiguity. This study can serve as a
baseline for future research on short-term memory, with
potential for replication under improved conditions.
References
Suppawittaya, P., & Yasri, P. (2021). The Comparison of Chunking Methods to Enhance the Cognitive Capacity of Short-term Memory to Retain Textual Information among High School Students. International Journal of Research in STEM Education, 3(1), 27–35. Retrieved from
https://jurnal-fkip.ut.ac.id/index.php/ijrse/article/view/502
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2978794/ ,February 1st 2012, Woods DL, Kishiyamaa MM, Lund EW, Herron TJ, Edwards B, Poliva O, Hink RF, Reed B. Improving digit span assessment of short-term verbal memory. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2011 Jan;33(1):101-11
Edrolo et al., Edrolo VCE Psychology Units 3 & 4, (2023), Pg. 232-245, 8, 14, 19, 21-22, 30-32, 36-41, 49-51, 61-62, 69-73
