Gesture production at encoding supports narrative recall

Bibliographic Data

ID21533645
AuthorsNaomi Sweller (0000-0003-2269-4763, Macquarie University, corresponding author), Alexander-Jaehyuk Choi (Macquarie University), Elizabeth Austin (0000-0002-8438-2362, Macquarie University)
Year2024
Volume88
Issue2
Pages535-546
Publication date2024-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychological Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0340-0727 • E-ISSN: 1430-2772
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media LLC (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1007/s00426-023-01886-w
PMID37857913
OpenAlexW4387772800
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited38

Existing research is inconsistent regarding the effects of gesture production on narrative recall. Most studies have examined the effects of gesture production during a recall phase, not during encoding, and findings regarding gesture’s effects are mixed. The present study examined whether producing gestures at encoding could benefit an individual’s narrative recall and whether this effect is moderated by verbal memory and spatial ability. This study also investigated whether producing certain types of gesture is most beneficial to recalling details of a narrative. Participants read a narrative aloud while producing their own gestures at pre-specified phrases in the narrative (Instructed Gesture condition), while placing both their hands behind their backs (No Gesture condition) or with no specific instructions regarding gesture (Spontaneous Gesture condition). Participants completed measures of spatial ability and verbal memory. Recall was measured through both free recall, and specific recall questions related to particular phrases in the narrative. Spontaneous gesture production at encoding benefited free recall, while instructed gestures provided the greatest benefit for recall of specific phrases where gesture had been prompted during encoding. Conversely, for recall of specific phrases where gesture had not been prompted during encoding, instructions to either gesture or not gesture suppressed recall for those higher in verbal memory. Finally, producing iconic and deictic gestures provided benefits for narrative recall, whilst beat gestures had no effect. Gestures play an important role in how we encode and subsequently recall information, providing an opportunity to support cognitive capacity

Cognitive psychology · Deixis · Gesture · Linguistics · Narrative · Recall · Communication · Computer Science · Hand Gesture Recognition Systems · Hearing Impairment and Communication · Language, Metaphor, and Cognition · Psychology · Artificial Intelligence

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