Chunking and data compression in verbal short-term memory

Short-term verbal memory is improved when words can be chunked into larger units. Miller (1956) suggested that the capacity of short-term determined by number chunks stored in memory, rather than items or amount information. But how does improvement due to chunking come about, and really chunks? One possibility a form data compression. It allows more information available capacity. An alternative operates primarily redintegration. Chunks exist only long-term enable corresponding reconstructed reliably from degraded trace. We review favoring each these views discuss implications treating as Contrary Miller, we suggest both but also underlying representational vocabulary system. Given limitations on representations sometimes allow exploited efficiently. (202 words).