The Relationship between Learning Style Preferences and Memory Strategy use in Adults

ABSTRACT

Deficits in working memory are pervasive, resistant to remediation and significantly impact a persons ability to perform activities of daily living. Internal strategies are effective for improving working memory. Learning style preferences may influence the use of various internal working memory strategies. This study compares the use of internal working memory strategies among four different learning style preferences; converger, diverger, assimilator and accommodator. A non-experimental group design was used to compare the use of internal working memory strategies and learning style preferences among 110 adults. There were some significant differences in the types of strategies used according to learning style preferences. Knowing the learning style preference of clients may help occupational therapists better tailor cognitive rehabilitation treatments to meet the client's needs.

KEYWORDS :

• cognitive rehabilitation
• working memory
• learning styles

Acknowledgments

This study was funded in part by a Support for Faculty Scholars Award from Western Michigan University. Thank you to Allison Fox, Alex Walcott, Jessica Rector and Kimberlee Hojna for assistance with data collection, data entry and literature search support.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

About the Authors

Diane Powers Dirette, Ph.D., OTL, FAOTA, Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Michele A. Anderson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, Research Affiliate, Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, USA.