Modality specificity of memory span tasks among Zairian children: A developmental perspective

Digit span (DS) and visual memory span (VMS) tasks have been shown to be di stinct in young children but fail to show modality specificity in older Ame rican children and adults (Fastenau, Conant, & Lauer, 1997, 1998). The pres ent study examines the possibility that processing of VMS becomes automatiz ed with written language training. In a sample of 139 Zairian children, sep arate factor analyses on K-ABC data for younger children (6.1-8.5 years) an d older children (8.6-12.8 years) yielded two-factor solutions in both case s, which appear to represent verbal and visual-spatial abilities. Modality specificity of the visual span task is supported in both age groups. Findin gs of modality specificity in both Zairian age groups provides support for the theoretical distinction between verbal and visual memory span. Continue d modality specificity of visual memory span tasks in older Zairian childre n suggests that the increased verbal loadings of these tasks seen for older American children may reflect differences in written language development.