Abstract
The aim of this research was to devise and norm a test of verbal memory suitable for use with children aged 5-10 years.Subjects were 204 Canberra school children. They were divided into six age groups, 5-10 years inclusive. Each age group of 34 children contained equal numbers of males and females.
The main memory test involved free recall of a word-list over several learning trials and two delayed recall trials. This format allowed the assessment of a range of memory functions including immediate memory, learning and delayed recall following an interference trial. These aspects of memory are of known diagnostic significance and are necessary for satisfying the basic requirements of a comprehensive assessment of memory functioning. In addition, given that this is a study of verbal memory, precautions were taken to maximize the likelihood that words included in the word-list would be encoded solely within the verbal modality.
Results showed that tests of immediate memory and learning differentiated between age groups. There were no developmental differences in retention as measured by recall decrement following interference. Also, there was no convincing evidence of sex differences for any of these three measures, with the possible exception of the ten year old group.
For practical and clinical purposes, the distribution of scores for each age group on each of these measures is described. In addition, expected scores of individual children of a given age measured in monthly increments and confidence intervals for these scores were presented for measures of immediate memory and learning.
Measures of intelligence for this sample of children were also recorded.
| Date of Award | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Supervisor | Kathy Griffiths (Supervisor) |
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