DIGIT SPAN & Working

Memory
Dr. Arathi Venkatesh
Short Term Memory / Working Memory holds limited amounts of
information for short periods of time with relatively little processing. 

It is a unitary system. This means it is a single system (or store) without any
subsystems.

Short Term
Sensory Attention Memory/ Long – Term
Input Working Memory
Memory
Memory
Short Term Memory / Working Memory

Baddeley and Hitch (1974) argue that the picture of short-term memory (STM) provided by
the Multi-Store Model is far too simple, and it is a single system (or store) without any
subsystems. 

Whereas working memory is a multi-component system (auditory, and visual).

 The Working Memory Model (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974)
Working memory is a multi-component system which
includes the central executive, visuospatial
sketchpad, phonological loop.

Visio- Spatial Sketch Pad

Central
Sensory Attention Executive Long – Term
Input (Working Memory
Memory
Memory)

Decay Phonological Loop

Articulatory Control

Phonological Store
The Phenological Loop
The phonological loop is the part of working memory that deals with
spoken and written material. It consists of two parts.

The phonological store (linked to speech perception) acts as an inner ear

and holds information in a speech-based form (i.e., spoken words) for 1-2
seconds. Spoken words enter the store directly.

Written words must first be converted into an articulatory (spoken) code

before they can enter the phonological store.
The Phenological Loop
 The articulatory control process (linked to speech production) acts like an inner voice rehearsing
information from the phonological store. It circulates information round and round like a tape
loop.

 For example: This is how we remember a telephone number we have just heard. As long as we
keep repeating it, we can retain the information in working memory.

 The articulatory control process also converts written material into an articulatory code and
transfers it to the phonological store.
Digit Span

Traditional tests of memory span use strings of digits or letters to assess the memory

span. Memory span is a person’s ability to reproduce immediately, after one presentation,

a series of discrete stimuli in their original order. Memory span involves processes of

attention, associability, imagery, and memory.

Digit Span

 In the beginning of the test the participant is presented with the instructions and is asked to
pay attention and memorise the series of digits presented one number at a time.

 The digits are presented both visually and auditorily at the same time.

 In other words, the series of digits are flashed on the screen as well as called out at rate of
approximately 0.5 seconds per number.

 The participant is required to recall and type the digits in the correct order. If in case they do
not remember a specific digit in the series then a “- “sign should be typed in its place.
Digit Span
 Upon typing the entire string of digits, a feedback on correctness of the response is given
by flashing the digits and calling out correct/incorrect.

 The test begins with the string of three numbers and proceeds upwards until the
participant fails a specific level.

 Each level involves correct reproduction of two strings of same length. If the participant
fails three trials at the same level then the test is terminated. The highest level involves a
string of 10 digits.

 The memory span of the participant is the number of digits correctly recalled
Thank you