Mechanisms of forgetting in short-term memory

This paper introduces a technique applicable to the question: Does information in short-term memory disappear with time? The technique appears to eliminate Ss' rehearsal in the retention interval without introducing potentially interfering material. In the experiment, Ss read aloud three words, then engaged in a difficult auditory signal detection task intended to keep them from rehearsing for 15 sec, and then attempted to recall the three words. The results provide no support for the principle of loss with time as an explanation of forgetting in short-term memory.