"Memorizing 10 words" - the method of A.R. Luria

Testing consists in revealing the speed and magnitude of auditory speech memorization of 10 words. The technique is used to determine the amount of their reproduction after a certain period of time. The result of the study is to obtain information about whether the child can work out auditory-speech material for a long time and purposefully.

What is the technique

The study uses simple monosyllabic or two-syllable, frequency, but absolutely different in meaning 10 words. The methodology involves their use in the singular and nominative case. Usually the number of repetitions can reach five, although it happens that you need to repeat the words until perfect memorization. For clarity, the results after the study build a curve.

At the same time, the following characteristics are studied:

• volume of auditory-speech memorization;
• features of mnestic activity;
• speed of memorizing words in the quantity provided;
• playback volume after a period of time;
• features of auditory perception.

Testing

A.R. Luria proposed a technique for determining fatigue, attention intensity, and degree of memorization. It is convenient in that it does not involve the use of any special equipment. The only condition in order to get a truly transparent result is silence. The fact is that any noise (especially if it's talking) distracts and reduces the ability to remember words.

The study can be done with children from 7 years. Healthy subjects usually memorize 9-10 words. The methodology assumes that a delayed result (memory check after a period of time) should show 80% of the previous verbal chain. When working with children under 7 years of age, less initial information is used - 5-8 words.

Examples of research chains:

1. Cat. Horn. Table. Mushroom. Honey. Ray. Water. A circle. Bridge. Smoke.
2. Bread. Weight. Brother. The move. Bow. Hedgehog. Mustache. Pain. Window. Tea.
3. Whale. Umbrella. Rum. Run. Laughter. Dog. Rose flower. Stump. Kum. Ruff.

Study start

Before starting testing, the experimenter writes 10 words in one line. The methodology involves the use of simple names that do not cause obvious associations between themselves. Most often, each reviewer uses a single verbal series. But if testing is carried out in a group of children, then several such chains need to be prepared, since the subjects can begin to give each other clues. It is very important in this experiment to pronounce the words clearly, as well as strictly adhere to the instructions.

First you need to tell the child a similar phrase: “I will read 10 words. They need to be listened carefully. When I finish reading, you need to list those words that you remember. You can speak them in any order. Clear?". Speaking slowly and well, the experimenter reads the words. When the child repeats them, then in the protocol of the methodology proposed by A.R. Luria, you need to put crosses.

After this follows the next part of the work. It must be said: “I will read the same words as the first time. And you need to repeat those of them that you already called (a) and the rest that you then missed (a). " Then the experimenter, like the first time, marks with the crosses the words that the child named.

Then you need to do several repetitions of the same procedure. Explanations are no longer needed, as it is enough for the experimenter to say the following: “Once again.”

Additional clarifications

In cases where the testee is called additional words, the examiner should mark them next to the available crosses. If repetitions occur, then each time you need to put another mark.

It happens that during the study, the child tries to tell or comment on something. In such cases, you need to explain to him that this is now not necessary. Actually distracting conversations, the “10 words” technique (Luria) prohibits.

After a 5-time repetition, the experimenter begins to engage in other tests. But after 50-60 minutes he returns to the memorable series and asks to tell him again. But reading the 10 words already used is no longer a memory technique. It is these repetitions that should now be noted in circles to avoid possible errors.

Filling the table and building a memorization curve

The research protocol looks like this:

In the future, it is used to build a memorization curve. To do this, the horizontal numbers of repetitions are laid out, and the vertical number of words correctly spelled. The slope of the curve may be different. In children from 7 years who are healthy, the first 3 repetitions are presented as one of the following options:

1. 5, 7, 9.
2. 6, 8, 9.
3. 5, 7, 10.

That is, by the third repetition, the child is able to name 9-10 words. And with further reading of the series, the number of called words becomes equal to 9-10.

Diseases of children, as indicated by the curve

It is common for mentally retarded children to name a small number of words. It happens that a child utters an extra word. And then gets stuck on this error, repeating it again. Similar moments during testing are demonstrated by children with organic brain diseases. In addition, in a state of disinhibition, the subjects name a lot of extra words.

Also, the graph of the curve may indicate severe fatigue and weak active attention. That is, when repeating, the child calls 8-9 words, and then - less and less of them. This indicates the distraction and forgetfulness in life caused by transient asthenia. The curve may not have a sharp slope, but may look zigzag, which indicates instability and fluctuations in attention.

As the technique testifies, memorizing 10 words in rare cases boils down to the fact that the subjects begin to pronounce the same incomplete series. Stabilization of this kind indicates a lack of interest in improving the result, of emotional lethargy. A low line indicates dementia and indifference in paralytic syndromes.

The number of words listed by the subject one hour after the last repetition speaks of his memory in a literal sense. Therefore, using different, but the same string of complexity verbal chains, you can repeat this study to see the effectiveness of treatment, to evaluate the course of the disease.