Immediate memory for mismatched speech and representational gesture across development

Author(s): Kelly, S. D., Lynch, K.

Journal/Book: J Nonverbal Behav. 2000; 24: 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013-1578, USA. Kluwer Academic-Human Sciences Press. 151-174.

Abstract: Two experiments examined how 7- and 8-year-old children, 9- and 10-year-old children, and adults process mismatched, task-related speech and gesture differently as a function of development. Participants watched videotapes of children speaking and gesturing about the concept of conservation. Using a recognition paradigm, we assessed immediate memory for information conveyed in mismatched speech and gesture. In Experiment 1, we used recognition of verbal statements to probe participants' memory, whereas in Experiment 2, we used recognition of gestural statements to probe memory. When probed with verbal statements in Experiment 1, 9- and 10-year-old children failed to retrieve gestured information. When probed with gestural statements in Experiment 2, 9- and 10-year-old children failed to retrieve verbal information. In contrast, the younger children and adults showed retrieval of both verbal and gestural information across both recognition methods in Experiments 1 and 2. These results suggest a U-shaped function with the 9- and 10-year-old children showing a limitation in the ability to process contradictory messages simultaneously conveyed in two modalities. Implications for identifying a transitional period in the development of representational skills are discussed.

Note: Article Church RB, NE Illinois Univ, Dept Psychol, 5500 N St Louis Ave, Chicago,IL 60625 USA

Keyword(s): TRANSITIONAL KNOWLEDGE; EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY; CHILDRENS; AGE; ADULTS; PERCEPTION; INDEX; FACES; HAND; MIND

Zurück | Weiter