Abstract:
Previous experiments revealed that changing the voice between study items on an auditory list of letters results in a decrease in memory span [H. M. Saldana, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. (1995)]. This finding is contrary to Baddeley's articulatory loop model which defines memory span in terms of time or duration of items. According to this model items are stored as memory traces that fade after approximately 2 s unless revived by an articulatory control process [A. D. Baddeley and G. J. Hitch, Psychol. Learn. Motiv. (1974)]. The number of items that can be reactivated within the decay time can be retained indefinitely. The present study replicates and extends the previous memory span findings by utilizing digits instead of letters and by using a stimulus matching methodology for estimating span length. A reconceptualization of the articulatory loop model is discussed which takes into account the encoding of stimulus variability. [Work supported by NIH.]