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Two separate verbal processing rates contributing to short-term memory span

N Cowan1, N L Wood, P K Wood

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia 65211, USA. psycowan@showme.missouri.edu

Journal of Experimental Psychology. General
|June 12, 1998
PubMed
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Verbal memory span relies on a profile of brain processing rates, not just a global speed. Specific rates for articulation and word retrieval impact memory but are independent of each other.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human memory research

Background:

  • Previous studies linked verbal memory span to speech articulation rate.
  • This link was often attributed to a general information processing speed.
  • Individual differences and aging effects on processing speed were noted.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between verbal memory span and specific processing rates.
  • To determine if memory span depends on a single global rate or a profile of rates.
  • To examine age-related and individual differences in these processing rates.

Main Methods:

  • Experimental manipulation of articulation rate.
  • Measurement of word retrieval speed from short-term memory.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Correlation analysis between processing rates and memory span.
  • Analysis of age and individual differences.

    • Main Results:

    • Both rapid articulation and word retrieval rates correlated with memory span.
    • These two processing rates were not correlated with each other.
    • A partial overlap was observed between age-related and individual rate differences.

    Conclusions:

    • Verbal memory span is influenced by a specific profile of processing rates, not a single global rate.
    • Distinct cognitive processes contribute to memory span.
    • Age and individual factors differentially affect these processing components.