Why was the partial report paradigm better at measuring iconic memory capacity than the whole report paradigm?

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To understand why the partial report paradigm was better at measuring iconic memory capacity than the whole report paradigm, let's examine what each option implies and connect it to the core idea of iconic memory.
Option 1: It allowed participants to know which items to report before iconic memory decay. This is aligned with how the partial report method works: a cue (often a row or position) tells the participant which subset of briefly presented items to report before the iconic memory trace fades. By focusing reporting on a subset, researchers can estimate capacity without requiring exhaustive reporting of all items, which would be hindered by rapid decay. This option captures the key mechanism that makes partial report more effective at assessing iconic memory.
Option 2: It used more test items. Simply increasing the number of items tested does not explain why partial report yields a better measure of iconic memory capacity. The critical advantage is not about quantity of items, but about the timing and cued reporting that preserves usable information before decay, so this statement misidentifies the underlying reason.
Option 3: It eliminated working memory entirely. The partial report paradigm targets sensory (iconic) memory and does not claim to eliminate working memory processes. Working memory can still play a role in processing and reporting, so this assertion is inaccurate and misleading regarding the paradigm’s focus.
Option 4: It tested different types of stimuli. The distinction between partial and whole report is not primarily about the types of stimuli used; both approaches typically employ similar visual stimuli. The main difference lies in how much of the memory trace participants are asked to report and when that reporting occurs relative to decay, not the stimulus type itself. Thus, this option does not explain the advantage of partial reports for measuring iconic memory.

PSC 135 001 SQ 2025 Lecture 19 Quiz: Introduction to Memory

Why was the partial report paradigm better at measuring iconic memory capacity than the whole report paradigm?

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