Evaluation

• Separate memory stores


  One strength of Baddeley's study is that it identified a clear difference between the two memory stores:

  • Although later research identified some exceptions, the idea that STM codes acoustically and LTM codes semantically has stood the test of time
  • This was an important step in the understanding of the memory system, which led to the multi-store model
• Artificial stimuli


  One limitation of Baddeley's research is that it used artificial stimuli rather than meaningful material:

  • The word lists had no personal meaning to the participants
  • Baddeley's findings may not tell us much about coding in everyday life
  • When processing more meaningful information, people may use semantic coding even for STM tasks
  • This suggests that his findings may have limited application