Brown-Peterson Distractor Technique

The Brown-Peterson Distractor Technique is a cognitive psychology experiment designed to measure the capacity of short-term memory.

Overview

The technique involves presenting participants with a series of items to remember and then diverting their attention away from the original material.

Procedure

The procedure typically consists of three main steps:

• Encoding: Participants are presented with a set of stimuli, such as a list of words or numbers, and are instructed to memorize them.
• Distraction: Following encoding, participants are typically given a distractor task to perform in order to divert their attention away from the original stimuli.
• Retrieval: After a specific delay period, participants are asked to recall or recognize the original stimuli.

Purpose

The Brown-Peterson Distractor Technique aims to assess the duration and accuracy of short-term memory retention. It is often used to investigate the effects of interference and decay on memory performance.

Limitations

While the technique provides insights into short-term memory processes, it may not fully reflect real-world memory situations. The controlled laboratory setting and artificial stimuli may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Significance

The Brown-Peterson Distractor Technique has contributed to our understanding of the factors that influence memory decay and interference. It has also provided insights into the capacity and limitations of short-term memory.