The effect of noise on memory for spoken syllables

Two experiments explore the effects of noise on memory for spoken syllables . Participants identified and then recalled nonsense syllables under differ ent levels of noise. There were significant decrements in memory, even in c onditions where there was no effect of the noise on identification of the s yllable. The experiments showed effects over ail list positions as well as decreases in the final, or recency, portion of the curve. Results suggest t hat both capacity and dual-coding play a role in immediate memory.