Deeper processing is beneficial during episodic memory encoding for adults with Williams syndrome

Greer, J.; Hamilton, C.; Riby, D.M.; Riby, L.M.

doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.004

Deeper processing is beneficial during episodic memory encoding for adults with Williams syndrome

Greer, J.; Hamilton, C.; Riby, D.M.; Riby, L.M.

Authors

J. Greer

C. Hamilton

Professor Deborah Riby deborah.riby@durham.ac.uk
Professor

Abstract

Previous research exploring declarative memory in Williams syndrome (WS) has revealed impairment in the processing of episodic information accompanied by a relative strength in semantic ability. The aim of the current study was to extend this literature by examining how relatively spared semantic memory may support episodic remembering. Using a level of processing paradigm, older adults with WS (aged 35–61 years) were compared to typical adults of the same chronological age and typically developing children matched for verbal ability. In the study phase, pictures were encoded using either a deep (decide if a picture belongs to a particular category) or shallow (perceptual based processing) memory strategy. Behavioural indices (reaction time and accuracy) at retrieval were suggestive of an overall difficulty in episodic memory for WS adults. Interestingly, however, semantic support was evident with a greater recall of items encoded with deep compared to shallow processing, indicative of an ability to employ semantic encoding strategies to maximise the strength of the memory trace created. Unlike individuals with autism who find semantic elaboration strategies problematic, the pattern of findings reported here suggests in those domains that are relatively impaired in WS, support can be recruited from relatively spared cognitive processes.

Citation

Greer, J., Hamilton, C., Riby, D., & Riby, L. (2014). Deeper processing is beneficial during episodic memory encoding for adults with Williams syndrome. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35(7), 1720-1726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.004

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Mar 6, 2014
Online Publication Date	Mar 26, 2014
Publication Date	Jul 1, 2014
Deposit Date	Sep 17, 2014
Publicly Available Date	Dec 16, 2014
Journal	Research in Developmental Disabilities
Print ISSN	0891-4222
Electronic ISSN	1873-3379
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	35
Issue	7
Pages	1720-1726
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.004
Keywords	Williams Syndrome, Ageing, Cognition, Episodic memory, Semantic memory, Depths of processing, Encoding.
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1420856

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Copyright Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Research in Developmental Disabilities. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Research in Developmental Disabilities, 35, 7, July 2014, 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.004.