engleski

Influence of the set size and probe item affiliation in the Sternberg memory task on auditory event-related potentials

The purpose of this study is to examine cerebral dynamics that occur as a result of memorizing and retrieving information from working memory. A modified Stenberg memory task was performed. We recorded auditory eventrelated potentials evoked by the memory task. Subjects were healthy adults with no auditory impairments. During the Sternberg experiment, sets of two or four digits were acoustically presented to subjects. After the last item in the set, the target digit (probe) was presented. Subjects had to indicate whether the probe did (positive probe) or didn’ t (negative probe) belong to the presented set by pressing appropriate buttons. According to the obtained results the reaction time increases with the increase of the memory set size. The activity in the period in which subjects rehearse the previously presented set is stronger expressed for the set consisted of two items. For the set of two digits the MPW appears earlier and its amplitude is greater than for the set of four digits. The amplitude of the major positive wave (MPW) is greater for the positive probe than for the negative probe, and the latency of the MPW evoked by the negative probe is greater than for the positive probe. Obtained results correspond to the presently accepted theory, but there are also interesting features for further research.

Sternberg memory task; auditory event-related potentials; reaction time; set size

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