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Verbal short-term memory span in speech-disordered children: implications for articulatory coding in short-term
A Raine1, C Hulme, H Chadderton
1Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089-1061.
Child Development
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Children with slower speech rates have reduced verbal short-term memory capacity. This study suggests speech rate causally impacts memory, offering insights into cognitive development.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Speech-Language Pathology
Background:
- Verbal short-term memory (VSTM) development is often linked to speech rate.
- This theory predicts impaired VSTM in children with slow speech.
- Speech-based coding in memory tasks is expected to be reduced in such children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between speech rate and VSTM capacity in children.
- To test the prediction that pathological speech delay is associated with reduced VSTM.
- To examine the role of speech rate in verbal memory performance.
Main Methods:
- Assessed VSTM span in 37 speech-disordered children and 37 controls (ages 4-15).
- Utilized a verbal short-term memory task not requiring a verbal response.
- Measured speech-motor activity during rehearsal periods.
Main Results:
- Speech-disordered children exhibited significantly lower VSTM capacity.
- A smaller word length effect was observed in the speech-disordered group.
- Reduced speech-motor activity during rehearsal was noted.
- Covariance analyses indicated speech rate, not general intellect or motor speed, explained VSTM differences.
Conclusions:
- Speech rate appears to be a causal determinant of verbal short-term memory capacity.
- Findings support the hypothesis linking speech rate to VSTM development.
- Interventions targeting speech rate may potentially enhance VSTM in children.