Rd. Vanderploeg et al., Material-specific memory in traumatic brain injury: Differential effects during acquisition, recall, and retention, NEUROPSYCHL, 15(2), 2001, pp. 174-184
Material-specific memory refers to the ability to learn and recall new epis
odic information on the basis of the nature of the stimulus material (e.g.,
verbal vs. nonverbal-visuospatial). Structural equation modeling was used
to analyze data from a sample of patients with traumatic brain injury to co
mpare 3 models of memory functioning: material-specific, material-specific
plus general, and general (non-material-specific). The models were examined
separately for acquisition, delayed free recall, and retention aspects of
memory. Results suggest that, at least in a population with traumatic brain
injury, the acquisition of new information takes place in a material-speci
fic memory fashion, delayed free recall involves both material-specific and
general (non-material-specific) memory components, but retention relies pr
imarily on general (non-material-specific) memory processes.