Sperling (1960)

Aim - To find out the existence of sensory memory

Procedure - Using a chart, participants were asked to look at the chart for 50 milliseconds and the asked to recall how many of the letters they could remember.
(2nd stage) Sperling then got the p's to recall single rows of letters when particular tones were heard (high tone, for top row, medium tone for middle row etc)

Results - First instance, P's could remember 4/5 letters although they were aware of more. Second instance, P's on average recalled 3 items from the row indicated

Conclusion - Although in theory P's should remember more than the average 4 items, it is thought that the image of each item fades during the 50ms and the time it takes to report back recalled items.

Evaluation - Lab exp. therefore high levels of control, lack of ecological validity as it is artificial, but easily replicated.
- Consent is needed