Predicting Memory for Words and Symbols from Spatial Abilities

Abstract

This study seeks to better understand the aspects of working memory, particularly spatial processing, involved in memory for visually presented verbal and non-verbal stimuli. Prior research has suggested that there are separate memory stores for words and symbols. It is proposed that memory for the location of words is assisted by the phonological loop, which provides comprehension, and a contextual basis to use logical reasoning to determine the location of words. Participants in this study were tested on measures of object and location memory, spatial relations, spatial visualization, as well as their memory for the location of words or symbols, and reading comprehension. Results suggest different processes are involved when remembering the location of words when compared to remembering the location of symbols. The measure for location memory was found to have a significant negative relationship with memory for the location of words, suggesting that subjects with better location memory (who, presumably, rely on it more), end up suffering on the memory for the location of words measure by not relying on the more effective method of using context to deduce the locations. With all measures contributing to a regression equation, roughly 50% of the variance of both memory for the location of words and symbols was accounted for.