Abstract
An incidental learning procedure was used with 8-, 11-, and 19-year-olds to identify processing changes that might underlie a developmental shift in feature encoding. Presentation of each of 32 words was accompanied by a question designed to induce either acoustic or semantic encoding. Tests of recall and recognition followed an intervening task. Acoustic encoding was faster than semantic encoding at all ages, but this difference decreased with age. Semantic encoding resulted in greater recall and recognition accuracy than acoustic encoding only for adults. It is argued that decreases in the difference between acoustic and semantic encoding speeds could contribute to the encoding shift effect. The retention data are interpreted as support for the notion that the encoding shift effect may also be due, in part, to memory processes other than encoding. Changes in encoding speeds and in memory processes related to retrieval are considered as complementary aspects of memory development.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Anglin, J. M. The growth of word meaning. Cambridge, Mass: M.I.T. Press, 1970.
Craik, F. I. M., & Tulving, E. Depth of processing and the retention of words. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 1975, 1, 268–294.
Geis, M. F., & Hall, D. M. Encoding and incidental memory in children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1976, 22, 58–66.
Kail, R. V., & Siegel, A. W. The development of mnemonic encoding in children: From perception to abstraction. In R. V. Kail & J. W. Hagen (Eds.), Perspectives on the development of memory and cognition. Hillsdale, N.J: Erlbaum, 1977.
Menyuk, P. The acquisition and development of language. Engle-wood Cliffs, N.J: Prentice-Hall, 1971.
Murphy, M. D., & Brown, A. L. Incidental learning in preschool children as a function of level of cognitive analysis. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1975, 19, 509–523.
Posnansky, C. G. Category norms of children. Behavior Research Methods & Instrumentation, 1974, 6, 373.
Underwood, B. J. Attributes of memory. Psychological Review, 1969, 76, 559–573.
Wickelgren, W. A. More on the long and short of memory. In D. Deutsch & J. A. Deutsch (Eds.), Short-term memory. New York: Academic Press, 1975.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was conducted while the authors were affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh. It was supported by the Learning Research and Development Center of the University of Pittsburgh, which is funded in part by the National Institute of Education, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare; support also came from NICHHD Grant HD-09694 to A. W. Siegel. We are grateful to Gay Bisanz and Susan Goldman for comenting on a previous draft, to Jean Kell, Mary Ficcardi, and John Cameron for serving as experimenters, and to the staff and students of the Weil Elementary School for their cooperation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bisanz, J., Kail, R., Pellegrino, J.W. et al. Developmental changes in the speed and effects of acoustic and semantic encoding. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 14, 209–212 (1979). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329446
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03329446