Two experiments were carried out to investigate further the relationship between age and immediate memory for two streams of material applied simultaneously to two sensory channels. The material was presented over ordinary television transmitters during programmes, viewers being requested to send in their responses. In both experiments the viewers saw three items and heard another three. In Expt. I all items were digits; in Expt. II both the visual and the spoken items consisted of letters and digits, the viewers being requested to order their responses either channel by channel or class by class. Both experiments showed a deterioration in performance with age which started earlier when the task required rapid alternation between the senses. Expt. II also allowed comparison between the two modes of recall: the eye–ear mode resulted in much superior performance.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Broadbent et al. (1965) studied this question.