Evaluation of the Levels of Processing Approach

The levels of processing approach provides a useful alternative explanation to the multi store model which was a very simplistic model. The levels of processing approach was particularly important as it was the first explanation to investigate the processes that operate at the time of learning and how these affect memory.

This approach does explain why some things are remembered better than others and that learning is more than simply rehearsal.

The finding that we remember things better if they have meaning can be used in education, especially when it comes to revision as we can ensure that we process the information semantically so that information is better remembered.

There is considerable research that supports the levels of processing approach. For example the theory is supported by research conducted by Craik and Tulving (1975) which demonstrated that information processed semantically will be recalled better.

Further support was carried out by Hyde and Jenkins (1971) who found that when participants carried out different tasks, which involved different levels of processing, there was a difference in recall. Participants who processed information on a semantic level were able to recall 51% more words than those who processed non-semantically.

However the levels of processing approach can be criticised for over simplifying the process of memory. For example there is no objective account of what semantic processing is. Different types of semantic processing lead to different amounts of recall, for example the complexity of the semantic task has been found to have an effect, with more complex tasks resulting in better recall.

Morris et al. (1977) found that the type of memory test given affects ability to recall. In their research participants encoded words phonetically and semantically but were tested by either a standard recognition test or by rhyming recognition by selecting words that rhymed with list words. Their performance on this task was better for words they had processed phonetically.

The levels of processing approach can not explain evidence that supports the distinction between short term and long term memory. For example although Clive wearing could semantically process new information this would have no effect on his ability to recall it later, therefore suggesting that there is more to memory than simply being a by product of processing.

An important criticism of the levels of processing approach is that it describes rather than explains memory. It states that information that is elaborated will be recalled better but does not tell us why or give detail of the mechanisms that lead to this.