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A functionalistic approach to memory: theory and data
Author(s) -
NILSSON LARSGÖRAN,
MÄNTYLÄ TIMO,
SANDBERG KARL
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9450.1987.tb00754.x
Subject(s) - affordance , recall , task (project management) , encoding (memory) , cognitive science , frame of reference , cognition , complement (music) , psychology , computer science , cognitive psychology , function (biology) , information processing theory , frame (networking) , key (lock) , orientation (vector space) , human–computer interaction , information processing , neuroscience , computer security , mathematics , chemistry , biology , telecommunications , biochemistry , geometry , management , quantum mechanics , evolutionary biology , physics , complementation , economics , gene , phenotype
The purpose of this article is to propose a conceptual frame of reference for memory research on the basis of two recent lines of development. One such key development is that of a functional orientation of memory research focusing on processing and function rather than structure and memory entities. The other line of development concerns information storage as distributed rather than localized. A functionalistic frame of reference involving a notion of distributed storage is proposed. According to this view remembering is seen as an interaction between available cognitive capabilities and demands of the task in which the individual is remembering something. Encoding is conceived of as an interaction between “affordances” of the environment and “functional dispositions” of the individual. Retrieval is seen as a re‐activation of functional dispositions. The formation of unique combinations of functional dispositions plays a crucial role in obtaining perfect recall performance. The viability of the overall conceptual framework is demonstrated in three experimental studies. The development of the design and procedure for these experiments was a second purpose of this paper, namely to outline an experimental setting which could serve as a complement to computer simulations in studying notions of distributed storage.