Abstract
An experimental simulation technique is introduced to study memory constraints affecting comprehension of embedded sentences. Memory for embedded structure is measured in a pairing task that simulates requirements imposed by sentence comprehension. With increasing memory load (number of embeddings), the rate of performance decline is consistent across all (recall and comprehension) conditions, and reflects a loss of order (as opposed to item) information. Short-term memory overload, rather than linguistic complexity, appears sufficient to account for comprehension difficulty. Performance was imperfect even with singly embedded constructions. Recall showed no abrupt failure with multiple embeddings, indicating that memory constraints are not as discontinuous as English syntax might suggest.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Bar-Hillel, Y.Language and information: Selected essays on their theory and application. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley, 1964.
Bever, T. G. The influence of speech performance on Linguistic structures. In G. B. Fiores D’Arcais & W. J. M. Levelt (Eds.).Advances in psycholinguistics. Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1970.
Blaubergs, M. S., &Baine, M. D. S. Short-term memory limitations on decoding self-embedded sentences.Journal Experimental Psychology, 1974,102, 745–748.
Blumenthal, A. L. Observations with self-embedded sentences.Psychonom& Science, 1966,6, 453–454.
Cavanagh, J. P. Relation between the immediate memory span and the memory search rate.Psychological Review, 1972,79, 525–530.
Chomsky, N. On certain formal properties of grammars.Information and Control, 1953,2, 133–167.
Deese, J.Psycholinguistics. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 1970.
Estes, W. K. An associative basis for coding and organization in memory. In A. W. Melton & E. Martin (Eds.),coding processes in human memory. Washington. D.C: V. H. Winston, 1972.
Fodor, J. A., &Garrett, M. Some syntactic determinants of sentential complexity.Perception & Psychophysics, 1967,2, 289–296.
Freedle, R., &Craun, M. Observations with self-embedded sentences using written aids.Perception & Psychophysics, 1970,7, 247–249.
Holmes, V. M. Order of main and subordinate clauses in sentence perception.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1973,12, 285–293.
Kintsch, W.The representation of meaning in memory. New York: John Wiley, 1974.
Marks, L. E. Scaling of grammaticalness of self-embedded English sentences.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1968,7, 965–967.
Miller, G. A., &Isard, S. Free recall of self-embedded English sentences,Information and Control, 1964,7, 292–303.
Mosteller, F., &Bush, R. R. Selected quantitative techniques. In G. Lindzey (Ed.),Handbook of social psychology (Vol. 1). Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley, 1954.
Schlesinger, I. M. Sentence structure and the reading process. The Hague: Mouton, 1968.
Stolz, W. S. A study of the ability to decode grammatically novel sentences.Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 1967,6, 867–873.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by an NIMH predoctoral traineeship and a Maryland Fellowship, awarded to the second author, and by NIMH Grant MH 23878.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Larkin, W., Burns, D. Sentence comprehension and memory for embedded structure. Memory & Cognition 5, 17–22 (1977). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209186
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209186