On the Nature of Nonverbal Working Memory Fractionation: A Case of Selective Spatial Short-Term Memory Deficit in a Child

Abstract

Several lines of research on adult subjects demonstrate a visual/spatial fractionation of nonverbal working memory (WM), while behavioral studies on normal children support the idea of a static/dynamic distinction. In the present paper, we report a child (Z.M.) who failed on nonverbal WM tasks. To verify the nature of his defect, we carried out two experiments: in Experiment 1, Z.M. failed on spatial WM tasks but not on visual WM tasks and was not affected by the static/dynamic format of stimulus presentation; in Experiment 2, this visual/spatial dissociation was extended to the imagery domain. These results are best accounted for within the visual/spatial fractionation of WM and confirmed the role of WM in mental imagery. Clinical and rehabilitative implications of the present findings are also discussed.

Keywords:

• Cognitive development
• Learning disabilities
• Spatial short-term memory
• Visuospatial abilities
• Working memory

We are grateful to Dr. Renata Zanella and Dr. Salvatore D'Arienzo for their contribution to the study. Moreover, we are indebted to Prof. L. Trojano for his helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.