The Effect of Irrelevant Visual Input on Working Memory for Sign Language

Bibliographic Data

ID16768482
AuthorsMargaret Wilson (0009-0008-7907-4104, University of California, Santa Cruz, corresponding author)
Year2003
Volume8
Issue2
Pages97-103
Publication date2003-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1081-4159 • E-ISSN: 1465-7325
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/deafed/eng010
PMID15448060
OpenAlexW2062416650
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited2

We report results showing that working memory for American Sign Language (ASL) is sensitive to irrelevant signed input (and other structured visual input) in a manner similar to the effects of irrelevant auditory input on working memory for speech. Deaf signers were disrupted on serial recall of lists of ASL signs when either pseudosigns or moving shapes were presented during a retention interval. Hearing subjects asked to recall lists of printed English words did not show disruption under the same interference conditions. The results favor models that hypothesize modality-specific representations of language within working memory, as opposed to amodal representations. The results further indicate that working memory for sign language involves visual or quasi-visual representations, suggesting parallels to visuospatial working memory.

American Sign Language · Amodal perception · Articulatory suppression · Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Linguistics · Modality (human–computer interaction) · Parallels · Recall · Short-term memory · Sign (mathematics) · Sign language · Working memory · Artificial Intelligence · Computer Science · Hand Gesture Recognition Systems · Hearing Impairment and Communication · Psychology · Tactile and Sensory Interactions

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