Effects of Overt and Silent Study on Recall of Visual Information by Head-Injured Patients

Abstract

A 2 × 2 factorial design was used to examine the immediate recall of traumatic head-injured and hospitalized controls under two conditions of study. Subjects recalled details from pictures that were either examined silently (silent study) or by naming details aloud (overt rehearsal). Analysis showed a significant interaction for type of study by type of subject, with head-injured subjects recalling more details using overt rehearsal while hospitalized controls recalled more using silent study. A main effect showing greater immediate recall for control subjects was also present. Results are discussed with regard to compensatory strategies for memory enhancement of brain-injured individuals.

Effects of mode of presentation on head-injured patients' recall of narrative information

“…The control group consisted of 6 males and 6 females who had suffered spinal cord injuries. Patients with spinal cord injuries were selected as controls because of their demographic similarity to head-injured patients and also to help control for the possible effects of long-term hospitalization on memory (Arnett & Corrigan, 1986). Ages for the head-injured patients ranged from 18 to 45 years with a mean age of 29.4 years, and those for the controls ranged from 19 to 39 years with a mean age of 26.6 years.…”

“…The present study attempted to replicate the Arnett and Corrigan (1986) findings, this time using verbal information, while it investigated the possible long-term benefits of presentation mode on recall ability. Also, the methodological concerns in the case study presented by Webster and Scott (1983) warranted systematic investigation and replication.…”

“…A recent study (Arnett & Corrigan, 1986) investigated the effects of silent and overt study on head-injured patients' ability to recall visual information. The head-injured patients demonstrated a significant (p < .05) increase in the amount of information recalled under the overt study mode.…”