Contemporary study

Question 1

Sebastian and Hernandez Gill : Aim

Answer 1

• Investigate the development of the phonological loop in children as a measure of phonological capacity
• compare findings to previous research

Question 2

Sebastian and Hernandez Gill : Sample

Answer 2

• 570 volunteer participants
• between ages 5 and 17
• schools in Madrid
• Native Spanish speakers, impairments in hearing reading and writing ability were controlled

Question 3

Sebastian and Hernandez Gill : Procedure

Answer 3

• Divided into 5 different age groups, average digit span recorded for each group
• Tested individually, read increasing sentences of digits to recall in correct order at one digit per second

Question 4

Sebastian and Hernandez Gill : Results

Answer 4

• preschool - 3.76
• secondary school - 5.83
• Spanish words are longer than English words and take longer to process, longer it takes for sub-vocal rehearsal the more decay of words

Question 5

Sebastian and Hernandez Gill : Conclusions

Answer 5

• Digit span increases with age
• digit span in Spanish population is significantly shorter than in Anglo-Saxon culture
• poor digit span is due to ageing rather than dementias
• Alzeimers 4.2
• Healthy older people 4.44

Question 6

Sebastian and Hernandez Gill : Comparing to previous research

Answer 6

• continued increase in digit span over time in Spanish population
• digits in Spanish tend to be two or more syllables compared to monosyllabic Anglo-Saxon syllables