title: Serial-order short-term memory predicts vocabulary development: evidence from a longitudinal study.
abstract: Serial-order short-term memory (STM), as opposed to item STM, has been shown to be very consistently associated with lexical learning abilities in cross-sectional study designs. This study investigated longitudinal predictions between serial-order STM and vocabulary development. Tasks maximizing the temporary retention of either serial-order or item information were administered to kindergarten children aged 4 and 5. At age 4, age 5, and from age 4 to age 5, serial-order STM capacities, but not item STM capacities, were specifically associated with vocabulary development. Moreover, the increase of serial-order STM capacity from age 4 to age 5 predicted the increase of vocabulary knowledge over the same time period. These results support a theoretical position that assumes an important role for serial-order STM capacities in vocabulary acquisition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cognitive Sciences, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anne-Lise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Leclercq
authors.forename: Steve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majerus
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003210:Concept Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007804:Language Development; D007807:Language Tests; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011578:Psycholinguistics; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012691:Serial Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014705:Verbal Behavior; D014825:Vocabulary