Is memory for shapes subject to language-specific effects? An experimentalstudy of memory span in German and Chinese subjects

With German and Chinese subjects. memory span for simple geometrical shapes and random shapes was established, Half of the subjects additionally learn ed verbal descriptions for the random shapes prior to the trials in which m emory span was measured. Throughout all experimental conditions, the Chines e subjects achieved higher memory span scores than the German subjects wher e simple geometrical shapes were concerned, however, this was not the case where random shapes had to be reproduced. In addition the articulation time s for the verbal descriptions of the figures used were measured. The articu lation times for the verbal descriptions of both the simple geometrical sha pes and the random shapes were shorter in Chinese than they were in German. The appearance of a language-specific effect on memory in the case of simp le geometrical shapes and the nonappearance of such an effect in the case o f random shapes are discussed within the framework of Baddeley's working me mory model.