1. (1) What is the independent variable(s) in this experiment?
2. (1) What is the dependent variable in this experiment?
(See pp. 50-52 in K&R to refresh your memory for these two terms.)
3. (1) Explain the purpose of the distractor task (counting backwards by threes) part of the experimental procedure.
4. (2) Using the class summary data, construct a graph that summarizes the results of the experiment. Make sure you properly label the axes.
5. (1) The hypothesis is that recall performance of the word triads will worsen with longer lengths of the distractor task? Is that hypothesis supported by the data?
6. (1) Peterson and Peterson used the results of this experiment to support the existence of a short-term memory function in which information fades away without an active effort to maintain it. Explain how the results of this experiment support that notion.
7. (2) Many researchers have put forth the concept of proactive interference as an alternative explanation for the results observed in the Peterson and Peterson procedure. Explain proactive interference (see p. 279 in K&R) and how it could be used to explain the results.
8. (1) What does the Peterson and Peterson result say about the type of environment that would be most helpful if you were in a situation where you were trying to learn new material?
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