Abstract

Retrieval of items from short-term memory is a repeat phenomenon in an individual’s everyday life. Recall of some information from short-term memory is more readily available than others, but learning to maximize the amount of information that is retrieved is possible. Using retrieval techniques that involve word concreteness could be of utility in retrieval of information. 81 undergraduate participants were recruited at Lindenwood University. Each participant was asked to complete a task involving the STM recall of words from a list. The list incorporated concrete and abstract nouns, with nonsense words. Participants demonstrated, with significance, the ability to recall more concrete nouns than abstract nouns or nonsense words. Participants also recalled, with significance, abstract nouns over nonsense words.

Recommended Citation

Lovelady, Mindi E. (2007) "Noun-sense: Short-Term Memory and Correct Recall of Concrete, Abstract and Nonsense Words," Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal: Vol. 1: Iss. 5, Article 3.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.lindenwood.edu/psych_journals/vol1/iss5/3