Contemporary study - Sebastian & Hernandez-Gil (2012) Flashcards
What were the 3 aims ?
- Study developmental pattern of working memory over time
- Analyse developmental pattern of phonological loop aged 5-17 compared to Anglo-Saxon data
- Look at decline in digit span of older people - dementia = Alzheimers & fronto-temporal dementia (did this using previous findings)
How many participants were there ?
570
Where were participants from ?
- Madrid
- Public & private nursery, primary & secondary schools
How old were the participants ?
- 5-17
- Split into 5 age groups = 5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17
- Covers 13 year groups
What were participants screen of ?
- Learning difficulties
- Hearing impairments
- No one had repeated a school year
How were participants tested ?
Individually in their break time
What is the IV ?
Length of the sequence
What is the DV ?
Development & memory of the phonological loop
What did participants first have to do ?
Listen & recall 3 sequences of 3 digits in the same order they were presented
How many sequences did participants have to recall correctly ?
2/3
What happened after 2/3 sequences were recalled ?
Could add another digit onto sequences
How were sequences of digits read ?
- Read aloud
- One per second
What did results find ?
- Digit span clearly increased with age
- 5 years = 3.76
- 17 years = 5.91
- Results differ to Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- 10 = study 5.13, WISCIV = 5.41
What was the mean digit span at 5 years old ?
3.76
What was the mean digit span at 17 years old ?
5.91
What was the mean digit span at 10 years old ?
5.13
What should the digit span be at 10 years old according to the WISCIV ?
5.41
What conclusions can be made ?
- Digit span increases with age = development of brain & phonological loop
- Opposes Anglo Saxon data = shows digit span continues after 15
- Language affects digit span = different word lengths affects subvocal rehearsal (7-8) & polysyllabic words in different languages
