Action-based Memory is Better than Speech-based Memory in Recognition

A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study

Abstract

In the present study we examined the neural correlates for incidental learning of three kinds of memory: outer speech (reading aloud), action (gesturing), and inner speech (silent reading). We hypothesized that action-based memory would have a stronger memory trace than speech- and silent reading-based memories because action seems to facilitate memory and we hypothesize that these memories will each activate distinct areas of the brain such as the left middle and superior temporal regions. Participants accurately distinguished between performing an action for each sentence and accurately perceived when a new sentence was presented. However, participants did not accurately distinguish between inner and outer speech (i.e., reading aloud and reading silently). The result suggests that the memory traces for action are stronger than other kinds of memories, and this implication will be confirmed by NIRS data analysis.