The Effects of Gesture on Dual-Task Memory Capacity
Abstract
This study is attempting to assess the effect of gesture, or the repression of gesture,
on the capacity for memory of an unrelated task while retelling either written or
video stories. Specifically, this study is testing an individual’s ability to remember
the location of digits in a series of 4 x 4 grids after either reading sentences twice or
reading them once and watching a corresponding video clip, then retelling the
events with or without gesture. 20 Kalamazoo College General Psychology
students were included in this study. This study is based on evidence suggesting
that gesture increases the capacity for memory as well as evidence indicating that
repression of gesture increases the difficulty of speech for most individuals. No
significant effects were found.