sebastian and hernandes gil

Question 1

what was the aim?

Answer 1

• examine the development of digit span pattern in the spanish population as an index of the phonological loop

Question 2

what was the sample used?

Answer 2

• 570 ppts aged 5-17 years old
• private and public schools
• born in spain

Question 3

what was the method used?

Answer 3

• 3 sequences of 3 digits
• asked to recall in the same order as presented
• additional digit added to progressively increase the length
• 2/3 times needed to recall correctly to hold as maximum length of digit span

Question 4

what results confirmed that digit span increases towards adulthood?

Answer 4

• 6-8 similar digit span was found
• at 9 the digit span increased smoothly until 11 years
• adolescents from 12-14 had a similar digit span

Question 5

what was the average digit span?

Answer 5

• 6.7 items

Question 6

what was the difference between the digit span of spanish participants and the record of anglo saxon ppts previously studied?

Answer 6

• the spanish ppts had a lower digit span
• due to the word length effect as the spanish words are longer so take longer to rehearse

Question 7

what can be concluded about the digit span of spanish ppts and the phonological loop?

Answer 7

• digit span continues to expand until at least 17 in the spanish population (longer than english)
• found that the phonological loop was affected by age and not so much dementias

Question 8

what can be said about the generalisability of the sample?

Answer 8

• ethnocnetric (only looked at spanish ppts)
• wide age range used

Question 9

what can be said about the reliability of the study?

Answer 9

• standardised procedure used e.g. the 3 digit lists and the 2/3 correct for maximum recall

Question 10

what applications come from this study?

Answer 10

• could be used to reach an intergrated perspective of research carried out in developmental psychology with neuropsychology
• could help to explain the phonological loop which may help dementias or dyslexia explanations

Question 11

what is an issue with ethics with the sample used?

Answer 11

• used children and people with dementias which are part of vulnerable groups and so may not be able to give fully informed consent

Question 12

what is an issue with task validity?

Answer 12

• the task lacks mundane realism as recalling a list of digits is something we dont normally do