Two-digit span tasks compared the distraction performance of 32 learning disabled (LD) high schoolers and non LD Ss. No differential distraction effect was found on the first set (matching nondistraction and distraction conditions). In set two, (distraction condition was designed to be more discriminating), a differential distraction effect was…

A total of 60 first- and third-grade children were divided into three treatment groups receiving task-specific strategy instructions and/or metacognitive training. Results were discussed in terms of the interactive nature of knowledge, process, and motivational variables as determinants of strategy transfer. (Author/CI)

Presents a hypothesis about the biochemical processes involved in memory storage. The postulated mechanism is initiated by a signal that is unusual but not unlikely to occur and produces an irreversible change in a key component of synaptic chemistry. Other features of the mechanism and experiments supporting the hypothesis are considered. (JN)

A study involving dyslexic children (10-14 years old) with average and high reasoning ability and nondyslexic children with and without superior mathematical ability suggested that the high reasoning dyslexic Ss had similar abstract reasoning ability but lower computation and memory skills than mathematically gifted nondyslexic Ss. (CL)

Reports on experiments that address the question of whether pictures and the words that name them access a common conceptual representation. Results suggest that the major component in a lexical or objective decision is a form-specific memory representation of the work or visual object. (EKN)

Calculated mean scores for older persons utilizing data from previous studies that measured Wechsler Memory Scale performance in healthy samples and compared with those of younger adults and a sample of neurologically impaired age (N=384). Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in the performance of different age groups. (JAC)

To study ear asymmetry during monaural stimulation, 80 listeners were asked to recall the word which followed a probe word in 40 10-word lists. Ear asymmetry during monaural stimulation appeared to be related to competition between incoming and rehearsed stimuli during central memory processing. (Author/CL)

The study examined the performance of four autistic boys trained to a criterion of 80 percent correct on noun labels. After training, one set of labels was reviewed twice a week for nine weeks (summer vacation); the other set received no additional training. Performance on both sets was then retested. Data are seen to support need for year-round…

Average and backward readers from Grades 2, 4, and 6 were examined for their performance on five cognitive tasks, three of which measured memory span. Results were consistent with a developmental trend and increment with reading competence. No differences were obtained between matched groups, which supported a developmental interpretation.…

Differences in discourse type were expected to result in differences in processing text. The more organized discourse types of comparison, problem/solution, and causation were predicted to yield superior recall of information than a collection of descriptions about a topic. Results from two studies supported this prediction. (Author/BW)

Three eperiments assessed the effects on strategy transfer of supplements to keyword method instruction; supplements included more comprehensive instructions concerning strategy application, additional practice with strategy during instruction, and combined directions and practice. Generally, results indicated that more explicit instructions are…

In a classification task, preschoolers matched a target stimulus with a conventional category, a visually similar item that cut across conventional categories, or an unrelated item. Items were presented in picture, verbal, and picture-verbal conditions. In all conditions, conventional classifications outnumbered visual ones, and this difference…

Reports on experiment showing that skilled seven- to eight-year old readers were better than less skilled readers at answering from memory (shortly after reading a story), both questions answerable directly from the text, and those requiring an inference. Even with text in hand, less skilled readers remained poorer at answering inference…

Administered Russell's (1975) variant of the Wechsler Memory Scale to elderly individuals (N=175) to determine if memory deteriorates with age even when chronic medical problems are not present. Results demonstrated that memory progressively declined after age 65 in a population without medical problems and with above-average education and income.…

Preschool to fourth grade subjects were required to reconstruct a previously seen logical sequence by selecting old items from a set containing actually seen events. Older children were found to be more consistent in all task performances. (DEP)