No evidence for a vibrotactile changing-state effect in serial recall

A multi-experimental replication attempt

Bibliographic Data

ID22430958
AuthorsJohn E Marsh (0000-0002-9494-1287, Luleå University of Technology), Emil Skog (Luleå University of Technology), Jessica Körning Ljungberg (0000-0001-5546-3270, Luleå University of Technology), Patrik Sörqvist (0000-0002-7584-2275, Luleå University of Technology)
Year2026
Pages1-26
Publication date2026-04-26
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Cognitive Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-1446 • E-ISSN: 1464-0635
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/20445911.2026.2657818
OpenAlexW7154914769
LanguageEN
References cited80

One way to develop theories of forgetting in short-term memory is to introduce novel sources of distraction. A recent study reported a vibrotactile changing-state effect, suggesting that a sequence of irrelevant vibrations can disrupt visual-verbal serial recall if it contains variation. The present study aimed to replicate and extend this finding. But Experiment 1 found no evidence of a vibrotactile changing-state effect in visual-verbal serial recall. The effect was also absent in a direct replication of the original report (Experiment 4) and with a visual-spatial serial recall task (Experiment 2). Experiment 3 implemented further variation in vibrotactile properties, varying the timing, strength and spatial location of vibrations, yet produced no disruption. A Bayesian random-effects meta-analysis across all available experiments further supported the null hypothesis. These results suggest that the previously reported effect may reflect a false positive, and contribute to theory refinement by identifying potential boundary conditions for vibrotactile distraction.

Animal model · Memory Processes and Influences · Multisensory perception and integration · Tactile and Sensory Interactions

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