Memory for Logical Structure and Verbal Units in Prose Material at Increased Rates of Presentation

Abstract

Prose material was presented at rates which were faster than normal reading rates by 0, 50, 100, and 200 words per minute. Two forms of memory for the material were examined: (a) memory for logical relationships between groups in the passages and (b) memory for the words in the material. As the rate of presentation increased, memory for logical structure decreased while memory for specific words did not. A comparison of relative changes in the two forms of memory showed that logical structure decreased more than specific words. This result demonstrates that, when information-processing capacity is limited by speeded presentation, more highly coded information such as logical relations is less adequately retained than less highly coded information such as specific words.