Sebastian + Hernandez Gill Study Flashcards
What is the aim of the study?
Whether phonological loop increases with age, + comparing results with whether it deteriorates with dementia patients, by testing verbal digit span
What does the study examine?
The development of digit span - One of components of Baddeleys WMM, phonological loop
What was the method?
- Task carried out in ppt breaks
- Start with 3 sequences of 3 digits, ppts listen + recall in same order
- Additional digits keep being added, increasing length
- Eg given to ensure ppts understood task + task done individually
- Digit span was taken as max length ppts could recall atleast 2-3 sequences with no errors
What were the results of the study?
Digit span increased with age
Look in notes for more detailed results
What was the sample?
570 ppts aged 5-17 from private + public preschools, primary, + secondary schools in madrid
All ppts born in Spain + selected by grade - to control education + cognitive levels
What were the results compared to?
Previous study done by Sebastian + Hernandez-Gil, where digit span was tested in elderly (same task done)
What was the sample of the elderly test?
25 healthy elderly ppts (control), 25 alzheimers ppts, + 9 frontotemporal dementia ppts
What were the results of the elderly test?
Digit span of elderly + dementia patients were compared + found similar to digit span of 5-6 year olds
What is the conclusion of this study?
- Digit span increases through childhood to adolescence (17)
- Difference in developmental pattern could be due to word length effect = memory span affected by longer word lists
- Types of dementia cause digit span to decrease
What was the design used?
Independent measures
What was the DV?
Score on recall rest of 3 sequences, in correct order
