The document outlines various scientific methods for studying memory, initially introduced by Hermann Ebbinghaus. Key methods include recall, recognition, sentence verification, priming, relearning, and reconstruction, each designed to measure different aspects and types of memory. The document explains these techniques, their applications, and provides formulas for quantifying memory retention.

1. Methods of Studying Memory
Dr Rajesh Verma
Assistant Professor in Psychology
Govt. College Adampur, Hisar (Haryana)

2. Introduction
The scientific techniques used to measure the
memory system is known as method of studying
memory. Memory can be measured in various ways. As
we know that memory is of different types, hence for
measurement of specific type of memory specific
method is required. Hermann Ebbinghaus (1885),
German psychologist who
first systematically studied
memory. He used recall
method and suggested that
retention can be tested
either by immediate recall
or delayed recall.

3. Methods of Studying Memory
(i) Recall method (for measuring facts)
(ii) Recognition (Episodic memory)
(iii) Sentence Verification Method (for measuring
semantic memory)
(iv) Priming (for measuring
information we cannot
report verbally)
(v) Relearning
(vi) Reconstruction

4. Important Methods of Studying Memory
(i) Recall method (for measuring facts) – The
repetition of learned material after specific lapse of time
is called recall. The recall of learned material depends
upon individual and stimulus related factors. The
interesting, meaningful and short learning material is
easy to memorize
and recall.

5. Recall is of two type i.e.
(a) Free Recall
(b) Serial Recall
(a) Free recall – In this method, participants
are presented with some words [preferably
meaningless] or
information which
they are asked to
memorize and recall
[after some time]
in any order.

6. (b) Serial Recall – The administration method
is similar to the free recall method, the only
difference is that
participants are
required to
recall the learned
material in the
same order as it
was presented.

7. (ii) Recognition (Episodic memory) – According to
Guilford (1917) recognition is knowing again the same
material. In recognition, participants are shown
learning material along with distracter items (the
material that they had not seen earlier) and asked to
memorize. Then
they are asked to
recognize the
learned [stimuli]
items.

8. The % of recognition can be calculated by the
following formula: -
% of Recognition = 𝑹 −
𝑾
𝑲−𝟏
𝐱
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝐧
R= total no. correct items recognized.
W= total no. items incorrectly recognized.
K= total no. of distractors
presented [during learning
+ during recognition].
n= no. of items presented
for learning.

9. For example – A participant could correctly recognize 6
items out of 10. The experimentor presented 10
distractors during learning phase while 10 different
distractors during recognition phase. Then calculate the
% of recognition.
% of Recognition = 𝟔 −
𝟒
𝟐𝟎−𝟏
𝐱
𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟏𝟎
= 6 – 4/19 x 10 = 57.89%

10. (iii) Sentence Verification Method (for measuring
semantic memory) – Semantic memory by virtue of its
nature [general knowledge] is not prone to forgetting.
In this method the participants are asked to indicate
whether the given sentences are true or false. Faster the
participants’ correct response better is the semantic
memory i.e. the better
is the retained
information that
is needed to verify
the shown sentences.

11. (iv) Priming (for measuring information we cannot
report verbally) – In this method, participants are
shown a list of meaningful words, such as truck,
machine etc. and then they are shown parts of these
words tru, mac along with parts of other meaningful
words which they had not seen earlier. Then
participants are asked to complete the words. It has
been found that participants complete parts of seen
words more quickly than parts of words they had not
seen. When asked, they are
often unaware of this and
report that they have only
guessed (NCERT).

12. (v) Relearning – This method was suggested by
Ebbinghaus (1885) and also known as method of
‘saving’. The quantitative capacity of memory is
measured with the help of this method. The participants
are provided with learning material. Then they are
asked to memorize it fully. After
specific time interval the same
material is presented for
memorizing. Time and number
to trials taken by each
participant is recorded in both
the situations.

13. Then percentage of saving [time and trials] is
calculated using following formula: -
Saving % =
𝐎𝐋𝐓−𝐑𝐋𝐓
𝐎𝐋𝐓
𝐱𝟏𝟎𝟎
OLT = Original learning
trials
RLT = Relearning trials
For example – if a
participant takes 20 trials
to memorize a original
material and 8 trials to
relearn it then % of saving
will be
Saving % =
𝟐𝟎−𝟖
𝟐𝟎
𝐱𝟏𝟎𝟎 = 60%

14. (vi) Reconstruction – In this method the
participants are presented with a set of stimuli in
pre-decided arrangement. Then the
arrangement of the set of stimuli is disturbed
and presented to the participant to arrange it in
the order shown
earlier. Time taken
to reconstruct or
arrange the
stimulus is
recorded.

15. References:
1. NCERT, XI Psychology Text book.
2. http://www.preservearticles.com/psychology/
methods-used-for-the-measurement-of-human-
memory/3926

16. vermasujit@yahoo.com
Next Discussion
Forgetting an
Introduction