German and Chinese subjects' short-term memory performance for verbal items and geometrical figures: on the function of the phonological loop and visuo-spatial sketchpad

In a computer-controlled experiment using n = 48 German and n = 48 Chinese subjects we established the memory span for simple geometrical figures and their names in the subjects' respective native language; Half of the subjec ts replied verbally, the other half nonverbally via a touch screen. In addi tion, verbal reproduction times were measured. Significant differences in m emory span between the two language groups were found only under nonverbal report conditions: here, the Chinese subjects achieved better results than their German contemporaries. There were no differences in oral reproduction times between the two groups. The results are discussed within the framewo rk of Baddeley's working memory model.