Title

Individual differences and models of memory span: A role for memory search rate?

Abstract

Individual differences in controlled memory search rate may partially account for individual differences in memory span, scanning rate, and verbal intelligence test performance. A within-Ss experiment is reported in which memory spans and scan rates were assessed for 3 familiar and 3 unfamiliar material types. 20 undergraduates served as Ss. 10 of 20 within-S span-scan correlations were significant, as was the average of all 20 correlations. Certain spans and scan rates also correlated significantly and in meaningful patterns with verbal and quantitative intelligence across Ss. As predicted, the effect of familiarity of the material was similar for memory span and scan rate, supporting the case for involvement of short-term memory search in memory span. In contrast, the intercepts of the scanning functions were correlated with no other measure (except other intercepts) and were not affected by familiarity of the material, as were search rate and memory span.

Department(s)

Psychology

Document Type

Article

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-7393.10.1.72

Keywords

individual differences in controlled memory search as partial explanation for individual differences in memory span &, scanning rate &, verbal intelligence, college students

Publication Date

1-1-1984

Journal Title

Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition

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