Brown–Peterson distractor technique

a technique used in memory studies that allows participants a brief period for remembering during which rehearsal is minimized. Typically, three items (e.g., words) are presented, after which the participant is asked to count backward for a time (as a distractor) before attempting to recall the presented items. It measures forgetting or interference in working memory. [John A. Brown; Lloyd R. Peterson (1922– ) and Margaret Jean Peterson (1930– ), U.S. psychologists]

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Psychology term of the day

February 2nd 2025

reward

n. a lay word that is nearly synonymous with reinforcement. Sometimes it is used to describe the intent of someone providing a consequence for behavior, rather than the effectiveness of the consequence (as is required in the definition of reinforcement) in influencing the frequency or probability of occurrence of a particular behavior.