Related Experiment Videos
Word length and phonological similarity effects in simple, complex, and delayed serial recall tasks: implications for
G Tehan1, L Hendry, D Kocinski
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia. tehan@usq.edu.au
Memory (Hove, England)
|October 12, 2001
Summary
Working memory models differ on passive storage. This study found word length and phonological similarity effects across simple span, complex span, and Brown-Peterson tasks, suggesting common storage mechanisms in working memory.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Models of working memory debate the necessity of a passive short-term store for dynamic tasks.
- Alternative models propose shared storage between short-term memory and working memory tasks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of passive short-term storage in working memory.
- To examine signature effects of passive storage across different working memory tasks.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of word length and phonological similarity effects.
- Utilized simple span, complex span, and Brown-Peterson tasks.
Main Results:
- All three tasks exhibited word length effects.
- All three tasks demonstrated phonological similarity effects.
- These findings suggest shared underlying processes or storage mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The results support models positing common storage facilities for short-term and working memory.
- Passive short-term storage appears to be involved in dynamic working memory tasks.