Encoding in Memory Encoding refers to the form in which info is stored and transmitted For example, the same piece of music can be represented in many different ways Vibrations in the air Pits on a CD surface Binary on a computer Vibrations in the air

Encoding in Memory One difference between STM and LTM is that they encode information in different ways

Encoding in Memory In immediate recall (STM) most people have more accurate recall for list two This is because the letters in list one are acoustically similar List OneList Two DPECGVBT ARQZLFMW

Encoding in Memory Baddeley (1966) PPs asked to learn one of four word lists: Acoustically similar (see, be, key) Acoustically similar (see, be, key) Acoustically dissimilar Acoustically dissimilar Semantically similar (seat, chair, stool) Semantically similar (seat, chair, stool) Semantically dissimilar Semantically dissimilar PPs either recalled the list immediately (STM) or after a timed delay (LTM)

Encoding in Memory The DV was how many errors PPs made STMLTM Acoustically similar Highest-- Acoustically dissimilar ---- Semantically similar --Highest Semantically dissimilar

Encoding in Memory The type of error made depended on both the type of list and the time delay When recalling from STM PPs made more acoustic errors When recalling from STM PPs made more acoustic errors When recalling from LTM PPs made more semantic errors When recalling from LTM PPs made more semantic errors Suggests that STM uses an acoustic code whilst LTM uses a semantic one

Encoding in Memory All of this relies on lab experiments with the usual problems of ecological validity & mundane realism Also a bit of a simplification e.g. our own experiences suggest that LTM uses other codes besides semantic E.g. visual, visio-spatial, acoustic, kinaesthetic etc.