Effects of Reversing Digits Forward and Digits Backward and Strategy Use on Digit Span Performance

Abstract

The effects on performance of reversing the order of administration of digits forward and digits backward on the Digit Span subtest in relation to what recall strategy was used were explored. The efficacy of the various reported strategies also was examined. Subjects were 33 women and 27 men who ranged in age from 16 to 60. Subjects were divided into three groups, and each was administered two trials of a shortened version of the Digit Span subtest in varying administration orders. Subjects then were queried through open- and closed-ended questions about their strategy use. The reversal of administration order had no improvement effect regardless of the strategy used. Subjects who used a grouping strategy performed significantly better (p < .02) than subjects who did not use this strategy on both digits forward and digits backward.