The Science Behind the Primemo Game: Understanding the Short-Term Memory Task

Short-term memory tasks are fundamental in cognitive psychology, helping us understand how our brain processes, retains, and retrieves information over short periods. One engaging way to explore these concepts is through the Primemo game, which involves memorizing a list of drawings performing a distractor task, and then recollect the drawings as a story.

Step 1: Memorization

In the Primemo game, players are first shown 1 to 7 drawings on cards. The player has to memorize the drawings. Each drawing is presented for a few seconds, allowing just enough time for initial encoding into memory.

Step 2: Distractor Task

Immediately after memorizing the words,  are given a distractor task. This task, which could be solving simple math problems or identifying shapes, serves to occupy the brain and prevent rehearsal of the words. This stage is crucial as it introduces interference, a common real-life scenario where we are interrupted or distracted, challenging our ability to hold onto information (Home Page) (Frontiers).

Step 3: Recall

After the distractor task, participants are asked to recall as many words from the original list as possible. This recall phase tests the effectiveness of short-term memory by measuring how well the information was retained despite the interference.

The Science Behind It

The distractor task creates interference, which highlights the fragility of short-term memory. It demonstrates how new information can disrupt previously stored information, a concept known as retroactive interference.

Cognitive load task tests the cognitive load capacity by requiring the brain to manage multiple types of information simultaneously. It shows how multitasking can impact our memory and cognitive performance (Home Page).

Engaging in such game helps  players understand effective memory strategies. Techniques like chunking (grouping information) or using mnemonic devices can enhance recall and are often explored in these experiments.

Understanding short-term memory through tasks like the Primemo game has practical implications. It aids in the development of educational strategies, cognitive therapies, and productivity tools that can help mitigate the effects of memory interference and improve information retention.