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Memory span on the Wechsler Scales.

Nancy J Wilde1, Esther Strauss, David S Tulsky

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Victoria, PO Box 3050, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada V8W 3P5. nwilde@uvic.ca

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|October 30, 2004
PubMed
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The Spatial Span subtest is not a direct visual equivalent of Digit Span. Backward span conditions do not show greater sensitivity for working memory compared to forward conditions, challenging common assumptions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuropsychology
  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychometrics

Background:

  • The Digit Span subtest is widely used to assess working memory.
  • The Spatial Span subtest is theorized as a visual analogue of Digit Span.
  • Backward span tasks are often considered more sensitive measures of working memory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the Spatial Span subtest as a visual analogue of Digit Span.
  • To determine if backward span is a more sensitive indicator of working memory than forward span.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the WAIS-III-WMS-III standardization sample.
  • Inclusion of clinical group data.
  • Comparison of forward and backward span conditions for both Digit Span and Spatial Span.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Digit Span and Spatial Span show distinct performance patterns, age relationships, and methodologies.
  • Backward span conditions were not more affected by aging or pathology than forward span scores.
  • Findings contradict the idea that backward span offers differential sensitivity for working memory.

Conclusions:

  • The Spatial Span subtest is not a direct visual analogue of Digit Span.
  • Backward span tasks do not appear to offer enhanced sensitivity for working memory processing compared to forward span tasks.
  • The study challenges the prevailing belief in the superior diagnostic utility of backward span for working memory assessment.