Question

The results of Sperling's original experiment using the whole-report vs. partial-report techniques are usually taken as evidence that the capacity of iconic memory is fairly large (or even almost unlimited). Which of the following findings allows us to make such an inference? (Hint: Two of the statements below are true, but only one of them is crucial for making that inference.)

A. Subjects' recall was limited (4 or 5 letters out of 12) when the partial-report technique was used
B. Subjects' recall was limited (4 or 5 letters out of 12) when the whole-report technique was used
C. Subjects' recall was nearly perfect when the partial-report technique was used
D. Subjects' recall was nearly perfect when the whole-report technique was used

Answer 1

The capacity of iconic memory is considered large because subjects showed nearly perfect recall using the partial-report technique, which implies they had access to a large amount of information immediately after stimulus presentation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The inference that the capacity of iconic memory is fairly large is drawn from the finding that subjects' recall was nearly perfect when the partial-report technique was used. This is critical because it indicates that immediately after exposure to a set of stimuli, individuals have access to a large amount of information in sensory memory, which can be accurately reported if only a portion is requested soon after presentation. In contrast, the whole-report technique, where subjects had to recall all items, showed that recall was limited (typically 4 or 5 items out of 12), which supports the notion of a smaller capacity for what can be transferred from iconic memory to short-term memory.