Assessing working memory capacity through picture span and feature binding with visual-graphic symbols during a visual search task with typical children and adults

Abstract

This study investigated developmental memory capacity through picture span and feature binding. Participants included third grade students and college age adults with typical development. Picture span was used to assess working memory capacity when participants were asked to identify, locate, and sequence common visual-graphic symbols from experimental grid displays. Feature binding was assessed to evaluate how symbols, locations and sequences are bound together in working memory. The features assessed included symbol recall, location recall, symbol location binding, symbol sequence binding, and location sequence binding. All participants were shown a sequence of visual-graphic symbols on 4 by 4 stimulus grid displays. Participants were then asked to remember symbols amidst distractor symbols and place them in the correct location on a response grid, using the correct sequence. Results revealed expected developmental differences between third graders and adults on picture span. Significant differences between third graders and adults were also obtained for symbol sequence and location sequence binding. Performance for both groups on the sequence binding features were marginal (i.e., 30% of third graders and 60% of adults binding symbol sequence; 27% of third graders and 52% of adults binding location sequence). These results convey the influence of picture span and feature binding on working memory capacity. Implications are discussed in relation to theoretical models on working memory and compensatory strategies to increase feature binding with target and contextual memory.

Keywords:

• Augmentative and alternative communication
• children and adults with typical development
• compensatory memory strategies
• developmental picture span and feature binding
• visuospatial working memory capacity

Acknowledgment

A special appreciation and acknowledgement goes to Wayne Mock, Director of Research and Development at Ball State University, who programmed the experimental tasks.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Picture communication symbols are manufactured by Tobii Dynavox 2100 Wharton Street, Suite 400 Pittsburgh, PA 15203 https://www.mytobiidynavox.com/#/

2 Macromedia Director 2004 and Adobe Photoshop 7 software is published by Adobe Systems, Inc., 345 Park Ave. San Jose, CA 95110-2704 https://www.adobe.com

3 The Elo Touchmonitor is manufactured by Elo Touch Solutions, Inc., 2245 Brighton Henrietta Town Line Rd, Rochester, NY 14623 https://www.elotouch.com/about

4 iBook computers are manufactured by Apple One Apple Park Way, Cupertino, CA 95014 https://www.apple.com

5 Altec Lansing Powered audio speakers are manufactured by Altec Lansing Technologies, Inc., 535 Rte. 6 & 209, Milford, PA 18337-0277 https://www.alteclansing.com