Introduction

Memory is the fundamental cognitive process that enables individuals to acquire, store, and

retrieve information. It facilitates learning, problem-solving, and adaptation to changing

environments. According to Sternberg (1999), “Memory is the means by which we draw on our

past experiences in order to use this information in the present.”

Stages of Memory as as follows:

1.​ Encoding: Transforming sensory input into a format that can be stored in the brain.

2.​ Storage: Retaining encoded information over time.

3.​ Retrieval: Accessing stored information for use in a cognitive task.

The Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) three-stage model classifies memory into:

1.​ Sensory Memory: Temporary storage of sensory information, lasting milliseconds.

- Iconic Memory: Visual sensory memory.

- Echoic Memory: Auditory sensory memory.

2.​ Short-Term (Working) Memory: Temporary storage with limited capacity, involved in

holding and processing information.

3.​ Long-Term Memory: Stores information indefinitely with potentially unlimited

capacity.PGI Memory Scale 3

- Declarative Memory: Factual knowledge, including episodic and semantic memory.

- Procedural Memory: Knowledge of skills, such as riding a bike or typing.

neurocognitive disorders, traumatic brain injuries, psychiatric illnesses, or developmental

conditions. Impairments in memory can significantly affect an individual’s ability to make

decisions, predict outcomes, and perform everyday tasks.

It is a standardized test for assessing various aspects of memory in adults aged 20 to 80

years. It was designed to suit the Indian population, ensuring applicability across diverse

educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, including illiterate individuals.

​ The PGI Memory Scale (PGI-MS) is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate both

verbal and non-verbal memory functions. It is particularly effective in identifying memory

deficits caused by organic conditions, such as neurological disorders, or functional causes, such

as psychiatric illnesses. The scale comprises 10 distinct subtests, each targeting a specific aspect

of memory, enabling a detailed assessment across a wide range of memory functions. This

versatility makes the PGI-MS an invaluable resource in clinical and research settings. It provides

a Memory Quotient (MQ), calculated as:

MQ= [Memory Age (MA) / Chronological Age (CA)]*100

Subtests utilised are as follows:

1.​ Remote Memory: Ability to recall past events.

2.​ Recent Memory: Memory for recent events.

3.​ Mental Balance: Temporal sequencing and mental control.

4.​ Attention and Concentration: Focus and working memory.

5.​ Delayed Recall: Retention of verbal material after a time delay.

6.​ Immediate Recall: Short-term memory for sentences.

8.​ Retention of Dissimilar Pairs: Complex associative learning.

9.​ Visual Retention: Visuo-spatial memory through drawing tasks.

10.​Recognition: Ability to identify previously presented stimuli.

Background
PGI MS was developed in 1977 by Dr. Dwarka Pershad and Dr. N.N. Wig at the Postgraduate

Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.

It was created to assess memory deficits in the Indian population, addressing the need for a

culturally appropriate cognitive assessment tool.

Historical Background-

Need for an Indian Memory Scale-

Before the PGIMS, most memory assessments were based on Western tools like the Wechsler

Memory Scale (WMS) and the Benton Visual Retention Test.

These tests were not fully applicable to the Indian population due to cultural, linguistic, and

educational differences. Many Western tests assumed a certain level of literacy and familiarity

with specific concepts, which made them less effective for individuals with low literacy levels in

India.

Development at PGIMER

Dr. Dwarka Pershad and Dr. N.N. Wig, leading researchers at PGIMER, Chandigarh, recognized

these limitations and initiated the development of a memory scale tailored for Indian patients.

The test was designed for both literate and illiterate populations, ensuring it could be widely used

across different demographic groups

The PGIMS was one of the first neuropsychological tools developed in India, marking a major

shift from reliance on Western scales. It played a pivotal role in advancing clinical

neuropsychology and memory assessment in India. Over the decades, it became a standard tool

for memory assessment in Indian psychiatric and neurological clinics.

Multi-Store Model

The Atkinson-Shiffrin model, also known as the multi-store model or modal model, is a

model of memory proposed in 1968 by Richard Atkinson and Richard Shiffrin. It states that

human memory has three separate components: sensory register, short-term memory (also called

working memory), and long-term memory. Sensory memory briefly holds sensory input,

short-term memory temporarily stores informations that are actively processed, and long-term

memory stores information over extended periods. The model describes a linear flow where

information moves from sensory memory to short-term memory and then to long-term memory

through attention, coding, rehearsal, and retrieval (Fletcher, 2024).

The PGIMS assesses different stages of memory processing which align with the sensory

register, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM) components of this model. It

includes subtests for immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition memory, which parallel

the encoding, storage, and retrieval processes.

Working Memory Model

Developed by Baddeley and Hitch in 1974, this model describes short-term memory as a

system with multiple components. It includes the phonological loop for auditory information, the

visuospatial sketchpad for visual and spatial information, and the central executive, which

coordinates cognitive processes. The episodic buffer integrates various perceptual and semantic

features to form holistic units, relying on attentional resources and executive functions. Some
tasks in PGIMS, like digit span and immediate recall, engage the phonological loop and central

executive functions.

Reliability Validity - Sharvari

The test was readministered on 40 subjects after an interval of one week, the test retest reliability

ranged between .70 to .84. Split half reliability was found to be 0.91-0.83 respectively. PGMIS

has good internal consistency and high inter rater reliability. Through the study it was found that

PGMIS has high construct validity, it has reasonable criterion validity with the correlation of

.071 with boston memory scale and .85 with wechsler's memory scale, PGMIS uses a

comprehensive range of memory related tasks and mix of subsets which gives it a strong content

validity.

Procedure

The subject is seated comfortably and a rapport is established. The following subject details will

be recorded: name (initials), age, sex and education along with other necessary background

information. After the basic orientation about the test, the subject is asked to follow the

instructions for every sub-test as given by the examiner and the results are noted. First, rapport

with the participants should be established and informed consent should be obtained. The

purpose of the test was explained and the researcher ensured a distraction-free environment. The

researcher then administered the 10 subtests in sequence, assessing remote and recent memory,

attention, concentration, recall, retention, visual memory, and recognition. A stopwatch was used

for timed tasks and recording responses accurately. Each subtest was scored according to the

manual and the total score was calculated. Finally the participant was debriefed, and addressed

any concerns, and ensured ethical considerations like confidentiality and voluntary participation

were upheld.
 Scoring

The PGI Memory Scale (PGI-MS) is a psychometric test which consists of 10 subtests

evaluating different memory aspects. Each subtest has a specific scoring method, and the total

score is the sum of all subtest scores:

Subtest 1 (Max Score: 6)

●​ Each correct response earns 1 point.

●​ If items 5 and 6 are not applicable, the following scoring adjustments apply:

○​ All four items correct → Score: 6

○​ Three items correct → Score: 5

○​ Two items correct → Score: 3

○​ One item correct → Score: 1

○​ None correct → Score: 0

Subtest 2 (Max Score: 5)

Subtest 3 (Max Score: 9)

●​ Alphabet Recitation:

○​ Completed correctly within 15 seconds → Score: 3

○​ Completed correctly after 15 seconds → Score: 2

○​ One mistake → Score: 1

○​ More than one mistake → Score: 0

○​ Scored the same as Alphabet Recitation

●​ Counting backward in intervals of 3:

○​ Correct within 30 seconds → Score: 3

○​ Correct after 30 seconds → Score: 2

○​ One mistake → Score: 1

○​ More than one mistake → Score: 0

Subtest 4 (Max Score: 15)

●​ Each correctly recalled digit earns 1 point.

Subtest 5

●​ Each correctly recalled digit earns 1 point.

Subtest 6 (Max Score: 12)

●​ Points are awarded for each correctly reproduced clause:

○​ Sentence 1: 0-3 points

○​ Sentence 2: 0-4 points

○​ Sentence 3: 0-5 points

Subtest 7 (Max Score: 5)

●​ Each correct reproduction of a word pair association earns 1 point.

Subtest 8 (Max Score: 15)

trial.

●​ The total score is the sum of points across three trials.

Subtest 9 (Max Score: 13)

●​ Points are assigned for accurately reproducing geometric figures in sequence and

number:

○​ Cards 1-3: 2 points each

○​ Card 4: 3 points

○​ Card 5: 4 points

Subtest 10 (Max Score: 10)

●​ Each correctly identified and named object earns 1 point.

●​ If an object is identified but not named or named incorrectly, it earns 0.5 points.

●​ Incorrectly identified objects result in a deduction from the earned score, but no negative

scores are given.

The PGI Memory Scale is widely used in clinical settings to assess various aspects of

memory functioning.

Diagnosis of Neurological and Psychiatric Conditions

PGIMS plays a crucial role in diagnosing memory deficits associated with various

conditions. It helps identify memory impairments in dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease,

vascular dementia, and other forms of cognitive decline. It is also beneficial in diagnosing

amnestic disorders caused by trauma, infections, or neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, it

assesses cognitive deficits, particularly memory impairments.

Assessment Of Brain Damage

The scale is instrumental in evaluating the impact of neurological injuries such as

traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and brain tumors on memory functions. It is often used in

pre- and post-surgical evaluations to monitor cognitive changes following neurosurgical

procedures.

Monitoring Cognitive Decline

PGIMS is useful in detecting early signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and

tracking progressive neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

Regular assessments can help monitor cognitive decline and facilitate timely interventions.

Assessment In psychiatric Disorders

Memory impairments are commonly observed in psychiatric conditions, and PGIMS

helps evaluate their severity. In depression, individuals often struggle with attention and recall,

while anxiety disorders can negatively affect concentration and memory retrieval. The test aids

in understanding these cognitive disruptions and their impact on daily functioning.

PGIMS is frequently used to assess the effectiveness of various interventions, including

pharmacotherapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. It helps determine whether

treatments have improved memory functioning, allowing clinicians to adjust therapeutic

approaches accordingly.

Rehabilitation Planning

PGIMS provides crucial baseline data for developing personalized cognitive

rehabilitation programs aimed at improving memory function in individuals with impairments. It

helps professionals track progress, modify treatment plans, and assess recovery over time.

Criticism

Overgeneralization of Use​

​ Originally developed for diagnosing personality traits, the PGI-MS is now often used in a

generalized manner beyond its intended purpose. This has led to concerns about its

appropriateness in diverse settings, such as employment screening and general personality

assessment.

Limited Initial Sample Size​

​ The original research supporting the PGI-MS was based on a relatively small sample,

raising concerns about the reliability and validity of the scale. A more extensive and diverse

sample would have strengthened its psychometric properties.

Outdated Norms​

​ The test's norms were established decades ago, and since then, significant socio-cultural,

educational, economic, and technological changes have taken place. These shifts may impact

personality assessment, making the existing norms less applicable to the current population.
 Issues with Elderly Populations

Research has shown that elderly individuals (aged 50 and above) tend to score

significantly lower on various subtests, except for attention-concentration measures. This

suggests that the test may not be fully reliable or valid for older populations without appropriate

age-related adjustments.

Reliability and Validity Concerns​

​ While the PGI-MS has demonstrated reliability and validity in clinical settings, its

application in broader contexts has been questioned. Differences in population characteristics,

including literacy levels and socio-economic backgrounds, may impact the accuracy of the

results.

References

Atkinson, R., & Shiffrin, R. (1977). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes.

Human Memory, 7-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-121050-2.50006-5

Baddeley & hitch (1974) | Working memory | Psychology unlocked. (2017, April 6). Psychology

Unlocked.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200106183747/www.psychologyunlocked.com/baddel
 Fletcher, J. (2024). Understanding the Atkinson–shiffrin memory model. Psych Central.

https://psychcentral.com/health/atkinson-and-shiffrin-model

Nehra, A., Sreenivas, V., Kaur, H., Chopra, S., & Bajpai, S. (2014). Are Educated Better in

Cognition than Their Ancestors? An Indian Flynn Effect Study. Activitas Nervosa

Superior, 56(1–2), 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03379607