Bimodal Word Processing: Speed, Accuracy, and Memory
Abstract
A group of 20 experienced sonar operators (SO) was compared with a group of 20 non-operators (NO) on a computerized word decision task. The subjects had to respond quickly and accurately in determining whether a word/ words presented visually and/or aurally (at the same time) was/were related to a given category (i.e., animals). Response speed, decision accuracy, and recall of words related and unrelated to the categories were recorded. Results indicated no group differences in any of the dependent measures, thus experience in a bimodal input situation did not provide sonar operators with a performance advantage on the experimental task. All 40 subjects performed faster and more accurately when the information was presented visually, and the words were related to a given category. Subjects performed about as quickly and accurately when the same word (related to the category) was presented concurrently in both modalities, however, recall of these words was significantly higher than all other conditions. Overall, the data are consistent with other studies which demonstrate no loss or some gain in the bimodal redundant (same word) condition. This study is one of the first to demonstrate an enhancement in higher level cognitive performance (such as memory recall) in a bimodal task.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 14, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA224666
Entities
People
- D. A. Kobus
- L. Lewandowski
- M. M. Flood
Organizations
- Naval Health Research Center