The impact of temporal patterns on short-term memory for speech and on language learning

背景在工作记忆理论中，表征并立即重复相当无意义的言语材料的能力被称为语音短期记忆（PSTM）。在一个理论框架中，这是由语音回路结构处理的。最常见的是，PSTM通过探测随机数字序列（数字跨度）或重复听到的非词（非词重复）的准确性来评估。对单词大小和新音素组合的顺序记忆被认为是语言习得中必不可少的。本文的基础研究旨在为理解支持PSTM的机制打开一扇新的窗口，并间接地支持单词和一般语言习得。该研究介绍了一个新的角度PSTM，表明时间模式，或节奏，根据音素，音节，单词和短语的组合表示。该方法的灵感来自PI自己和其他研究人员最近在发展性语言障碍（如阅读障碍和发展性语言障碍（DLD））中的PSTM研究结果。它进一步建立在玛丽·里斯·琼斯（Mari Riess Jones）的假设基础上，即当外部刺激序列中的时间节律与大脑产生的时间节律相互作用时，听觉注意力作为夹带，因为神经细胞群相互交流。该研究计划将研究PSTM中众所周知的基准现象。我们将研究言语刺激的时间模式的可预测性如何影响短时记忆，而不是用语音或发音的复杂性来解释它们。例如，记住一个重音模式可变的单词列表应该比记住一个所有项目都具有相同重音模式的列表更难。我们还将研究干扰任务的时间结构效应，其中大声重复一个简单的口语序列，如“废话，废话”导致记忆力差。可能是重复言语输出的时间结构阻碍了短时记忆中的语音编码，干扰了短时记忆。短期连续性包括对PSTM中经典基准现象的时间可预测性效应的探索。将记录EEG，以将行为发现与不同振荡频带中的脑夹带现象相关联。 长期目标是加深我们对短时记忆在语言发展、学习和读写技能的个体差异中的作用的理解。第一步是理解表征绝对时间和相对时间以及时间顺序在短时记忆中的作用，以支持语言功能和发展。创新和意义。这项研究将显着细化的PSTM（语音回路）的结构，理解工作记忆如何影响语言习得的关键结构。重要的现实世界的应用将使评估和基于证据的节奏干预最常见的神经发育障碍，DLD和阅读障碍。

BACKGROUND. In working memory theory, the ability to represent and immediately repeat back fairly meaningless verbal material is referred to as phonological short-term memory (PSTM). In one theoretical framework, this is handled by the phonological loop construct. Most commonly, PSTM is assessed by probing memory for random sequences of digits (digit span) or accuracy to repeat back heard nonwords (nonword repetition). Serial order memory for both word-size items and new phoneme combinations is thought to be essential in language acquisition. The basic research here aims to open up a new window on understanding the mechanisms that support PSTM and, indirectly, word and general language acquisition. THE RESEARCH introduces a novel perspective on PSTM, suggesting that temporal patterns, or rhythms, underlie representation of combinations of phonemes, syllables, words and phrases. The approach is inspired by both the PI's own and other researchers' recent findings of PSTM in developmental language disorders, such as dyslexia and developmental language disorder (DLD). It further builds on hypotheses by Mari Riess Jones on auditory attention as entrainment when temporal rhythms in sequences of external stimuli interact with those generated by the brain, as sets of neural cell populations communicate with each other. The research program will investigate well-known benchmark phenomena in PSTM. Instead of interpreting them in terms of phonological or articulatory complexity, we will investigate how the predictability of the temporal patterns of verbal stimuli affects STM. For instance, it should be harder to remember a list of words with variable stress patterns, than a list where all items have the same stress pattern. We will also investigate temporal structure effects of an interference task in which repeating aloud a simple spoken sequence, such as "blah, blah" leads to poor recall. Possibly, it is the temporal structure of the repeated verbal ouput that blocks phonological coding in STM (the inner voice) and interferes with STM. SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES include the exploration of temporal predictability effects for classical benchmark phenomena in PSTM. EEG will be recorded to relate the behavioural findings to brain entrainment phenomena in different oscillatory frequency bands. The LONG-TERM OBJECTIVE is to deepen our understanding of the role of STM in individual differences in language development, learning, and literacy skills. One step is to understand the roles of representing absolute and relative time, as well as temporal order in STM, to support language functions and development. INNOVATION AND SIGNIFICANCE. The research will significantly refine the construct of PSTM (the phonological loop), a key construct in understanding how working memory affects language acquisition. Significant real-world applications will enable assessment and evidence-based rhythmic interventions for the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, DLD and dyslexia.