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

背景资料。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，这是由音位环构造来处理的。最常见的是，通过探测记忆中的随机数字序列(数字跨度)或重复听到的非单词的准确性(非单词重复)来评估PSTM。单词大小项目和新音素组合的顺序记忆在语言习得中被认为是必不可少的。这里的基础研究旨在打开一个新的窗口，了解支持PSTM的机制，以及间接支持单词和一般语言习得的机制。这项研究引入了一种关于PSTM的新视角，认为时间模式或节奏是音素、音节、单词和短语组合的表征基础。这一方法的灵感来自于PI自己和其他研究人员最近在发育性语言障碍(如诵读困难和发育性语言障碍(DLD))中发现的pSTM。它进一步建立在Mari Riess Jones的假设基础上，即当外部刺激序列中的时间节奏与大脑产生的节奏相互作用时，当神经细胞群体相互交流时，听觉注意力就是夹带。该研究计划将调查PSTM中众所周知的基准现象。我们不会用语音或发音的复杂性来解释它们，而是研究言语刺激时间模式的可预测性如何影响短时记忆。例如，比起所有项目都有相同重音模式的单词列表，记住不同重音模式的单词应该更难。我们还将研究干扰任务的时间结构效应，在干扰任务中，大声重复一个简单的口语序列会导致回忆能力下降。可能是重复言语输出的时间结构阻碍了STM(内在语音)的语音编码，并干扰了STM。短期目标包括探索pSTM中经典基准现象的时间可预测性效应。脑电将被记录下来，以将行为发现与不同振荡频段的大脑携带现象联系起来。长期目标是加深我们对STM在语言发展、学习和识字技能的个体差异中的作用的理解。第一步是理解绝对时间和相对时间以及时间顺序在STM中的作用，以支持语言的功能和发展。创新和意义。这项研究将极大地改进PSTM(语音环路)的结构，这是理解工作记忆如何影响语言习得的关键结构。重要的现实应用将使对最常见的神经发育障碍、DLD和阅读障碍的评估和基于证据的节奏干预成为可能。

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.