Variable memory strategy use in children's adaptive intratask learning behavior: developmental changes and working memory influences in free recall.

Variability in strategy use within single trials in free recall was analyzed longitudinally from second to fourth grades (ages 8-10 years). To control for practice effects another sample of fourth graders was included (age 10 years). Video analyses revealed that children employed different strategies when preparing for free recall. A gradual shift from labeling to cumulative rehearsal was present both with increasing age and across different list positions. Whereas cumulative rehearsal was frequent at early list positions, labeling was dominant at later list portions. Working memory capacity predicted the extent of cumulative rehearsal usage, which became more efficient with increasing age. Results are discussed in the context of the adaptive strategy choice model.

[1]  R. Siegler,et al.  Older and younger adults' strategy choices in multiplication: testing predictions of ASCM using the choice/no-choice method. , 1997, Journal of experimental psychology. General.

[2]  J. Masterson,et al.  Learning to Spell: Implications for Assessment and Intervention. , 1999, Language, speech, and hearing services in schools.

[3]  P. Ornstein,et al.  Children's spontaneous rehearsal: Transitions in strategy acquisition , 1987 .

[4]  R. Guttentag,et al.  The mental effort requirement of cumulative rehearsal: A developmental study. , 1984 .

[5]  R. Siegler,et al.  How children choose among serial recall strategies. , 1989, Child development.

[6]  Peter A. Ornstein,et al.  Rehearsal processes in children's memory , 1973 .

[7]  T. Beuhring,et al.  Developmental relationships among metamemory, elaborative strategy use, and associative memory☆ , 1987 .

[8]  The Influence of Encoding and Strategic Knowledge on Children's Choices among Serial Recall Strategies. , 1990 .

[9]  Edward Kunzinger.  A Short-Term Longitudinal Study of Memorial Development during Early Grade School. , 1985 .

[10]  M. Hasselhorn,et al.  Zur adaptiven Qualität kumulativen Rehearsals beim freien Reproduzieren im späten Grundschulalter , 2005 .

[11]  B. P. Stone.  An Analysis of Active Rehearsal in Children's Memory. , 1977 .

[12]  R. Guttentag,et al.  Age differences in dual-task performance: Procedures, assumptions, and results☆ , 1989 .

[13]  B. Rittle-Johnson,et al.  Learning to spell: variability, choice, and change in children's strategy use. , 1999, Child development.

[14]  R. Siegler,et al.  The rebirth of children's learning. , 2000, Child development.

[15]  G. Hitch,et al.  Speech, "inner speech," and the development of short-term memory: effects of picture labeling on recall. , 1991, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[16]  P. H. Miller,et al.  Strategy utilization deficiencies in children: when, where, and why. , 1994, Advances in child development and behavior.

[17]  R. Siegler.  Emerging Minds: The Process of Change in Children's Thinking , 1996 .

[18]  R. Siegler,et al.  Variation, selection, and cognitive change. , 1995 .

[19]  D. Bjorklund,et al.  Age differences in, and consequences of, multiple- and variable-strategy use on a multitrial sort-recall task. , 1997, Developmental psychology.

[20]  M. Naus,et al.  Rehearsal and Organizational Processes in Children's Memory. , 1975 .

[21]  Marc W Howard,et al.  Contextual variability and serial position effects in free recall. , 1999, Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition.

[22]  R. Siegler,et al.  Four aspects of strategic change: Contributions to children's learning of multiplication. , 1995 .

[23]  P. H. Miller.  The development of strategies of selective attention. , 1990 .

[24]  H. Hock,et al.  Temporal organization in children's strategy formation. , 1998, Journal of experimental child psychology.

[25]  M. Naus,et al.  Effects of the knowledge base on children's memory strategies. , 1985, Advances in child development and behavior.

[26]  Peter A. Ornstein,et al.  Development of Memory Strategies: Analysis, Questions, and Issues , 1983 .

[27]  M. Hasselhorn.  Task dependency and the role of category typicality and metamemory in the development of an organizational strategy , 1992 .

[28]  William P. Dunlap,et al.  Analysis of variance with ipsative measures , 1997 .