ABSTRACT
AB’s pattern of performance on this set of memory span tasks was hard to interpret within this framework of possible damage to phonological storage and articulatory components. His memory span was similar to that of EA, but he showed phonological similarity and word length effects with both auditory and visual presentation, and better performance with auditory than visual lists, suggesting that he was able to retain phonological codes. An important issue that is often raised with regard to whether a separate semantic short-term memory (STM) store should be postulated is whether the semantic STM deficits for these patients could be attributed to slowed or disrupted access to semantic information. Many researchers who started their careers doing neuropsychological work have moved solely or mainly into neuroimaging work. Some of the critiques of the neuropsychological approach focus on the difficulties in determining the neural basis of a cognitive function from lesion data.
