Experiments With Short-Term Memory & Reading

The term "short-term memory" refers to working memory. Psychologist Gary Groth-Marnat describes working memory as a construct that includes an executive component responsible for attending to, monitoring and evaluating new information. When a person reads, these systems are activated as the brain takes in the information presented. Given that reading and reading comprehension use the systems of working memory and attention, there are quite a few experiments, or exercises, that can be done using reading to explore these domains.

Reading Comprehension

• In his test of academic achievement, neuropsychologist David Wechsler added a test of reading comprehension that has a strong working memory component. The test is comprised of short passages that the individual reads, no more than a few paragraphs each. Following the reading, he is asked a series of questions about the details of passage. This is easily reproduced at home with the help of a friend--the same person who writes the questions should not be the same person reading--and is a great way to experiment with short-term memory and reading comprehension.

Listening Comprehension

• Listening comprehension is related to working memory and reading when the subject is engaging in receptive, rather expressive, reading exercises. To experiment with working memory and listening, have another person read a short passage out loud and ask the subject questions about what they just heard. This engages the working memory system as well as receptive reading abilities. Since there is no visual component, this experiment is good for individuals with visual tracking issues.

Sentence Repetition

• Sentence repetition can involve receptive or expressive reading while engaging short-term memory. In the receptive experiments, the subject will hear sentences of varying length read aloud and will have to repeat the sentences exactly. In the expressive version, the subject will read the sentences aloud, turn the page, and try to repeat exactly what he or she just read. This exercise requires attention and strong processing speed as well as working memory, which makes it quite challenging.

Word Reading

• Timed word reading exercises use working memory and attention in a different way that relies heavily on executive functioning systems. Executive functioning helps with memory, selective attention and processing speed. To experiment with these skills and reading, have a friend create a random page of words. Then, try and read across the rows out loud as quickly as possible. This test is more difficult than it appears because it requires visual scanning, shifting and attention while simultaneously engaging memory for phonics to quickly decode unfamiliar words.