The Interaction between Phonological Similarity, Acoustic Similarity and Retention Interval under Audiotry Represantation

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the results of the experiment when phonologically and acoustically similar and non-similar word lists of four conditions are presented in three different retention intervals. The relevant literature about short trem memory is summarized within the models of Alan Baddeley’s Working Memory Model, James Nairne’s Feature Model and Dylan M. Jones, Robert W. Hughes, William J. Macken’s Perceptual Model. The effects of phonological similarity, acoustic similarity, modality and retention interval are examined through these models. In the present experiment; phonologically and acoustically similar and non-similar lists of five words are presented in four conditions among three different intervals with the participation of 80 students from Uludag University. After examinig the data it was found that phonological similarity had a main effect as the similar lists were recalled less correctly; serial position had a main effect in terms of recency and primacy; and retention interval had a main effect as the longer the interval gets, the recall performance drops. Phonological similarity proved to be effective as opposed to the findings ine the literature found before. Acoustic similarity had no main effect like theorized as the models that focus the importance on the perceptual features. The results are discussed through the relevant literature and the summarized models and suggestions are made regarding the studies that can be carried out from now on.

Keywords

• Working Memory
• Phonological Similarity
• Acoustic Similarity
• Retention Interval