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The processing of semantic contents of verbal working memory information during rehearsal

Braam, Myrthe (2022) The processing of semantic contents of verbal working memory information during rehearsal. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

The direct link between long-term memory (LTM) and verbal working memory (WM) remains controversial, even after years of research. Verbal working memory was thought to be primarily built on the processing of phonological aspects. Still, more recent research has demonstrated a possible interaction between LTM and verbal WM, wherein semantic processing of memoranda is involved. Mathôt et al (2017-2019) have made use of the eyes to get a closer look at the attention-based processes of WM. They discovered that pupils constrict while being presented with brightness-related words, and dilate while being presented with darkness-related words. These involuntary reflexes suggest the involvement of semantic processing in WM. In the current study we examined whether the pupils can reveal the semantic contents of verbal working memory information during rehearsal. We conducted a memory task wherein participants were verbally presented with brightness- and darkness-related words. The participants were instructed to subvocally rehearse the stimuli while their pupil size was being measured. The results revealed no significant difference in pupil size during the rehearsal of brightness- and darkness-related stimuli. This indicates that we did not find evidence for the contribution of semantic processing in verbal WM during rehearsal.

Item Type: Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name: S., Mathot
Degree programme: Psychology
Differentiation route: Other [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited: 30 Jun 2022 12:55
Last Modified: 30 Jun 2022 12:55
URI: http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/670

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