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The Phonological Similarity effect

How to run the experiment and score the data.
Graphic of person standing on the word remember
© The University of York

This is our first class experiment

The experiment provides first-hand experience of collecting data in a classic short-term verbal memory task.

The study involves testing memory for lists of six spoken letters. On each trial, the experimenter reads out a list of six letters one-at-a-time and after a pause of 2 seconds the participant has to write down the letters as they remember them in the order in which they were presented.

There are 2 blocks of 10 lists and so testing should take no longer than 20 minutes.

The intention is that you will act as the experimenter and that you will be able to test a willing volunteer.

Here, we provide further advice about how to run the experiment and how to score the data. Be sure to read the Instructions document first. Full information can be accessed via the following link – the files are also available at the bottom of this page as downloads:

Direct link to how to run the experiment and score the data

You could also copy the following link into a new browser tab:

http://bit.ly/2NtJXuz

The link provides access to a google folder that contains:

  • A general information sheet

  • Instructions about how to run a participant

  • Actual letter lists

  • Templates for scoring the data

For further info – check this out

This is an additional video, hosted on YouTube.

© The University of York
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Introduction to Cognitive Psychology: An Experimental Science

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