Sternberg Memory Search

Background

Sternberg (1966) investigated how information is retrieved from short-term memory. Participants memorize a small set of items, then judge whether a probe item was in the set. This paradigm has become one of the most influential tools for studying memory search processes.

Key Finding

Reaction time increases linearly with set size at approximately 38 ms per item. This linear relationship suggests a serial exhaustive search — every item in the memory set is checked, even after a match is found.

Serial vs Parallel Search

If memory search were self-terminating, the slope for present trials (where the probe is in the set) would be roughly half the slope for absent trials (where every item must be checked). Sternberg found that present and absent slopes were approximately equal, providing strong evidence for exhaustive search — the entire set is scanned before a decision is made.

References

Sternberg, S. (1966). High-speed scanning in human memory. Science, 153, 652–654.
Sternberg, S. (1969). Memory scanning: Mental processes revealed by reaction-time experiments. American Scientist, 57, 421–457.

You will see a set of digits to memorize, followed by a single probe digit. Your task is to decide whether the probe digit was or was not in the memorized set.

Press the key corresponding to your decision:

F = Present (probe WAS in the set) J = Absent (probe was NOT in the set)

There are 96 trials total. The experiment takes approximately 7 minutes. Respond as quickly and accurately as possible.

Sternberg Memory Search

Your Results