Short term memory factors in oral retention

Study or exploration time and retention interval duration between original-form exploration and test-form exploration were varied to assess the effect of these two variables on performance accuracy on an oral stereognostic memory task. Irregularly shaped, four-sided plastic forms were used as stimuli. Retention performance improved significantly with an increase in exploration time of up to 15 seconds, but was not affected by delays in testing of up to 60 seconds. Clinical and theoretical implications for oral stereognosis are discussed.