To study very long-term memories in a real-life setting.
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PROCEDURE
There were 3 tasks:
1) In a recall test, 392 ppl were asked to list the names of their ex-classmates.
2) In a photo recognition task, P's were shown photographs of their ex-classmates and were asked if they could remember the names.
3) In a name recognition task, P's were given names of their ex-classmates and asked to find the matching photographs.
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FINDINGS
Within 15 years of leaving school, P's could recognise 90% of the faces and names.
Within 48 years of leaving school, P's could recognise 75% of the faces and names.
Free recall memory had declined more than photo and name recognition memory.
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CONCLUSIONS
The study shows evidence of very long-term memories in a real-life setting.
Since recognition was more accurate than free recall, there may be information stored in memory that can only be accessed when we are given the appropriate cue.
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CRITICISMS
This study was undertaken in a real-life setting and the memories were meaningful to the P's so it has high ecological validity.
It also has application in real-life, for example, carers could show elderly ppl photographs of their friends and colleagues in the Second World War in order to engage them in conversation.
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