Phonological similarity in working memory

Mem Cognit. 2001 Jul;29(5):774-6. doi: 10.3758/bf03200480.

Abstract

That phonologically similar words in a short-term memory test are more difficult to recall than phonologically dissimilar words is a well-known phenomenon. This effect is the phonological similarity decrement. In the present study, we examined whether this phonological similarity decrement is present when additional semantic information is available, as in a reading span test, as compared with a standard presentation, or in the context of an operation span test. The results revealed a phonological similarity facilitation. Phonologically similar words were remembered better than phonologically dissimilar words.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Attention
  • Humans
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Paired-Associate Learning
  • Phonetics*
  • Psycholinguistics
  • Reading
  • Verbal Learning*