On the Generality of the Short-Term Memory-Reading Ability Relationship

Abstract

Four groups of children were tested with a serial short term memory (STM) task. Three of the groups were matched in IQ and age, but differed in reading ability from reading-disabled to reading-superior. The fourth group consisted of competent readers matched in IQ with the other three groups, but two years younger than the other children. The STM data showed that (1) differences between the groups were confined mainly to the recall of recency items; (2) within the three older groups, the superior readers were superior to the competent readers, who in turn were superior to the disabled readers; (3) the younger competent readers were superior to the older disabled readers, in spite of the similarity in their reading test scores. These data are discussed both in terms of their implications for physiological approaches to the STM/reading relationship and for the possible causal nature of the relationship.