Effects of Grammaticalness, Presentation Rate, and Message Length on Auditory Short-Term Memory

Abstract

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of message structure, message length, and presentation rate upon auditory short-term memory. Subjects were asked to reproduce in writing messages at different levels of “grammaticalness” (Coleman, 1965) presented through headphones at 3–4 words/sec. or 6–7 words/ sec. There was better recall of the more structured, shorter, and slower messages. The results are discussed in terms of acquisition and encoding of information.