Aspects and implementation of a memory model

A number of proposals have been made concerning the modeling of memory systems, human and artificial. A recent model primarily designed to model human memory is the HAM system (see Anderson, J. and G. Bower. Human Associative Memory. Washington, D.C.: Winston & Sons, 1973). Anderson and Bower's book provides background on associative memory, outlines "theoretical HAM," overviews an initial implementation of the theoretical model, and applies the model to make both quantitative and qualitative predictions.This paper first briefly overviews the HAM system, its uses and implementation history. An abbreviated tour of some of the processing that is done in our implementation of a slight variant of the original HAM system is provided. A data structuring view of the program is given in a series of figures, and the heart of one of the central algorithms is sketched. The final section of the paper is addressed to other selected aspects of the program and its qualitative uses in behavioral research.