Vol. 38
1996
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Issue 3/4 Vol. 38 1996 |
The three experiments reported here investigate the type of mental representation built up and used by children of different ages when solving a real life visuo-spatial memory task, the Concentration game. We started by observing the performance level of children and adults in a controlled but naturalistic playing situation. We did not find significant age effects in the overall game performance of 5- to 10-year-old children, but deficits compared to adult subjects' performance. In addition, the result pattern did not indicate younger and older children using completely different internal codes for the visuo-spatial information. Instead, there were some hints towards multiple coding of the visually presented stimuli. To clarify this observation, we decided to experimentally manipulate the stimuli in the game. In the second study with 5- and 9-year-olds the amount of visual information contained in a single stimulus (colored versus uniform line drawings) was varied. In a third experiment with 5- to 10-year-olds and adults the codeability of the stimuli's spatial positions was manipulated. Data of both studies did not indicate a qualitative shift in preferred memory codes with age, but rather an increasing representational flexibility in older children. We conclude that in familiar contexts - like in the Concentration game - even young children are able to use multiple coding when maintaining information about the appearance and the location of objects, i.e., visual and spatial information. However, the results challenge current working memory models: Since multiple coding takes place with familiar stimuli, further specification of mechanisms interrelating and coordinating different representational modes is needed.
Keywords: spatial memory, working memory
Short Title: Schumann-hengsteler, R. (1996) PsyBeit 3-4:368
Prof. Dr. Ruth Schumann-Hengsteler[Pabst Science Publishers] [Psychologische Beiträge] [Table of Contents] [Search] [Order]
