contemporary study Flashcards
what were the aims of this study
to measure digit span (the number of digits able to recall at one time) and how this changes with age.
What was the sample used.
570 ppts 5-17 yo from Spanish speaking schools in Madrid. Born in Spain from public and private schools. Hadn’t repeated a year at school and had no problems with learning or hearing impairments.
Outline the procedure used
It was carried out one at a time during their break time, they had to listen carefully to three sequences of three digits and recall two out of the three sequences correct to move to the next level. They got a trail run to practise. They then had four digits … this increased into they got less then two out of three sequences incorrect. Digit span is the maximum number of digits recalled without error.
Give the results of the study
five yo had a low digit span of 3.76 which increased with age. Seventeen yo had a digit span of 5.9. This was compared with the digit span of Alzheimer’s patients and elderly. There was no significant difference between Alzheimer’s and elderly digit span they had a higher digit span then 5-6 yo and was similar to 6-8 yo of 4.16-4.63
What is the application
Can screen for children with learning difficulties that have a lower digit span ie small stm capacity. This means they can get more support so they don’t struggle and give up in class due to lack of motivation.
Give strengths
High reliability can be replicated. Used a standardised procedure so can test the consistency if findings.
High internal validity. Sample was screened for learning difficulties, hearing impairments. So high control of extraneous variables so we can establish a cause and effect relationship.
Give weaknesses
Low generalisability as sample is young, cannot say that digit span is the same in young adults ie 18+ they are Spanish speaking so cannot say that digit span is the same in English speaking children.
Low external validity. Doesn’t represent how memory works in real life.
