On the Nature of Nonverbal Working Memory Fractionation: A Case of Selective Spatial Short-Term Memory Deficit in a Child |
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| Authors: | Michele Lepore Katia Celentano Dario Grossi |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Casa di cura “Stazione Climatica Bianchi” , Portici, NA, Italy;2. Dept. of Psychology , Second University of Naples , Caserta, Italy;3. Associazione “La Nostra Famiglia”, Cava de' Tirreni (SA) , Italy;4. Dept. of Psychology , Second University of Naples , Caserta, Italy |
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| Abstract: | Several lines of research on adult subjects demonstrate a visual/spatial fractionation of nonverbal working memory (WM), while behavioral studies on normal children support the idea of a static/dynamic distinction. In the present paper, we report a child (Z.M.) who failed on nonverbal WM tasks. To verify the nature of his defect, we carried out two experiments: in Experiment 1, Z.M. failed on spatial WM tasks but not on visual WM tasks and was not affected by the static/dynamic format of stimulus presentation; in Experiment 2, this visual/spatial dissociation was extended to the imagery domain. These results are best accounted for within the visual/spatial fractionation of WM and confirmed the role of WM in mental imagery. Clinical and rehabilitative implications of the present findings are also discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Cognitive development Learning disabilities Spatial short-term memory Visuospatial abilities Working memory |
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