Serial-order short-term memory predicts vocabulary development: Evidence from a longitudinal study

[en] Serial-order short-term memory (STM), as opposed to item STM, has been shown to be very consistently associated with lexical learning abilities in cross-sectional study designs. This study investigated longitudinal predictions between serial-order STM and vocabulary development. Tasks maximizing the temporary retention of either serial-order or item information were administered to kindergarten children aged 4 and 5. At age 4, age 5, and from age 4 to age 5, serial-order STM capacities, but not item STM capacities, were specifically associated with vocabulary development. Moreover, the increase of serial-order STM capacity from age 4 to age 5 predicted the increase of vocabulary knowledge over the same time period. These results support a theoretical position that assumes an important role for serial-order STM capacities in vocabulary acquisition.

Disciplines :

Theoretical & cognitive psychology

Author, co-author :

Leclercq, Anne-Lise ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cognitives > Logopédie clinique

Majerus, Steve ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences cognitives > Psychopathologie cognitive

Language :

English

Title :

Serial-order short-term memory predicts vocabulary development: Evidence from a longitudinal study

Publication date :

2010

Journal title :

Developmental Psychology

ISSN :

0012-1649

eISSN :

1939-0599

Publisher :

American Psychological Association, Washington, United States - District of Columbia

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

417-427

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Funders :

F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]

Available on ORBi :

since 23 November 2009

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