The maxispan procedure makes the phonological similarity effect disappear while increasing recall performance

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Working memory involves distinct mechanisms for verbal information maintenance.
• The articulatory loop and attentional executive systems are hypothesized to function separately.
• The phonological similarity effect (PSE) demonstrates poorer recall for phonologically similar items.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that optimizing the use and separation of working memory systems enhances recall.
• To investigate whether the maxispan procedure abolishes the phonological similarity effect.
• To examine how articulatory loop overload affects the PSE.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of the maxispan procedure for verbal rehearsal.
• Participants cumulatively rehearsed a limited number of initial items aloud until series end.
• Two experiments were conducted to test the model's predictions regarding recall performance and PSE.

Main Results:

• The maxispan procedure significantly increased recall performance.
• The phonological similarity effect was abolished for both rehearsed and non-rehearsed items under optimal conditions.
• The PSE reappeared when the articulatory loop was overloaded due to excessive rehearsal.

Conclusions:

• Facilitating the optimal use and separation of articulatory and attentional systems in working memory boosts recall.
• The maxispan procedure effectively mitigates the phonological similarity effect by preventing phonological trace confusion.
• Articulatory loop overload negates the benefits of the maxispan procedure, leading to the reappearance of the PSE.