Semantic processing can facilitate free recall in mildly retarded adolescents

The efficacy of semantic processing in free recall was investigated in two experiments with EMR adolescents. In Experiment 1, they were taught to use one of two semantic strategies for memorizing a 15-word list. Compared with controls, neither strategy helped recall either in original learning or transfer. In Experiment 2, one of the semantic strategies, a story mnemonic, was investigated further. Rather than being taught to construct their own stories as in Experiment 1, subjects in Experiment 2 were provided with experimenter-composed stories. They showed better immediate recall and retention after 2 months than did no-strategy controls. However, about 1 year after original learning, the retention of experimental and control subjects no longer differed. Discussion focused on the story mnemonic's potential utility and the criteria for judging such potential, e.g., amount of facilitation, ease of training and performance of the strategy, and the degree of its generalizability.     

标量计时模型的影响因素及发展

标量计时模型为人类时间知觉的研究提供了理论框架和研究范式, 它采用信息加工的观点, 包含时钟、记忆和决策三个阶段。时间二分任务是在标量计时模型的框架下研究时间知觉和加工的理想范式。它要求被试对时距进行与标量计时模型相对应的多阶段操作, 包含了时间知觉所涉及的各个过程, 能有效测量主观时距和时间敏感性的变化。通过这个范式, 研究者发现, 除了任务参数, 年龄和疾病都会影响人的主观时距和/或时间敏感性。这些时间二分任务的实验结果促进了标量计时模型的发展, 最近提出的两阶段决策模型和差别模型分别以不同的方式对标量计时模型进行了修正, 并解释了参数设置的影响和计时的个体差异。     

The logic of neuropsychological research and the problem of patient classification in aphasia

A critical analysis is presented of the assumptions that must be made to use the data from aphasia to constrain models of normal language processing. The implication of these assumptions for patient classification and research methodology in aphasia is considered.     

Short-term memory performance in the absence of phonological coding

These experiments examined the short-term memory performance of an aphasic patient with posterior damage who shows a selective deficit in phonological coding. In recognition memory tests, the patient relied on both visual and semantic coding, and often showed an essentially normal level of accuracy. However, for memory sets consisting of four function words, his performance was quite impaired. Also, his retention of order information was far below that of normal controls. The implications of these deficits in short-term memory for language comprehension and production are discussed.