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.