Input variables in bisensory memory

The effects of a combination of variables previously studied in ordinary and dichotic immediate memory were examined in bisensory memory, wherein the visual and auditory modalities were employed. These variables. combined in a factorial design. were: (1) type of material; (2) rate of presentation of material; (3) order of recall for a modality. either first or second; (4) locus of instructions about order of report; and (5) overall differences in memory for each modality. The variables of instruction, order of report, and nature of materials yielded effects in the bisensory situation similar to those reported for the dichotic and ordinary immediate memory situations. On the other hand. interference effects due to the combination of materials in the two channels were practically nonexistent. Additionally, when the modalities were stimulated simultaneously each displayed curves predictable from data obtained when it was explored independently of the other modality.