Do the Eyes Have It?Chloe RothsteinMrs. Hyde8th Grade6th Period

Scientific Question

Which type of memory is most common?

All information for this project was found at:http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/HumBeh_p018.shtml

Haahr, M. 2006. "Random Integer Generator" random.org [accessed J] http://www.random.org/nform.html

What is Memory?

Memory: the capacity of the brain to recall or remember things such as facts, details, events, or even to recall past experiences. In this project, I will testing peers to see if they are have a visual or auditory memory.

Research

Auditory Memory

Have you ever been able to memorize lyrics to a song just from listening to it? That is auditory memory. Auditory memory are the things you remember from hearing them.

Visual Memory

-This is the most common memory category.-Visual Memory includes photographic memory, eidetic memory, and spatial memory.-A person with a stronger visual memory can remember details in pictures, past events, and even writing selections.

Hypothesis

If I test many different ages and gender on their memory, then my data will show that more people have a stronger visual memory.

Variables-independent: taking the two tests-dependent: how many digits they get correct

Materials

*computer with internet*index cards*timer

Procedures

1. In this experiment, you will need many number sequences for people to memorize. Each number sequence will include 7 digits of numbers 0-9.

2. If you choose to get this sequences from the internet, this is a random number generator.

Procedures Cont’d

3. After you click “get numbers” from the random number generator a new set of numbers will appear. 4. Write down the number sequence on each index card, until you have a deck of 50 sequences.5. Next, create a data table and print it off. Your data table should look like this:

Visual Memory Test Auditory Memory Test

Number of Correct Answers:

Procedures Cont’d6. Next, find a research participant and ask them if they will take 2 memory tests.

a. to test someone’s visual memory, show them a sequence card for 30 seconds and use your timer to time them. Take back the card and have them say the alphabet. After they recite the alphabet, get them to tell you what the numbers were. Write down the number of digits they got correct. This will be their score.

b. To test someone’s auditory memory, read them the sequence of numbers on a different card 3 times slowly. After you read them the sequence 3 times, have them say the alphabet. After they complete the alphabet, ask them to tell you what the number was. Write down the digits they got correct. This will be their score. 7. Record the data on the table you just printed out. If you don’t know what the table should look like, see the previous slide.

Data Table

Score Visual Auditory

0 No people with this score.

No people with this score.

1 No people with this score.

No people with this score.

2 No people with this score.

1 person with this score.

3 No people with this score.

2 people with this score.

4 1 person with this score.

3 person with this score

5 1 person with this score.

4 people with this score.

6 No people with this score.

1 person with this score.

7 13 people with this score.

4 people with this score.

This table shows the relationship between scores & visual and auditory memory. The scores represent the number of digits a person got correct in a 7 digit sequence. In the visual and auditory columns, it shows how many people out of 15 got each score.

Conclusion

In this experiment, I learned that most people are visual learners. Out of the 15 people I tested, 12 people were as accurate or more accurate reciting the digits after looking at them.

My hypothesis was correct; most people had a stronger visual memory.