Self-ordered pointing as a test of working memory in typically developing children

Cragg, Lucy; Nation, Kate

Abstract

The self-ordered pointing test (SOPT; Petrides & Milner, 1982) is a test of non-spatial executive working
memory requiring the ability to generate and monitor a sequence of responses. Although used with
developmental clinical populations there are few normative data against which to compare atypical
performance. Typically developing children (5!11 years) and young adults performed two versions of the
SOPT, one using pictures of familiar objects and the other hard-to-verbalise abstract designs.
Performance improved with age but the children did not reach adult levels of performance. Participants
of all ages found the object condition easier than the abstract condition, suggesting that verbal processes
are utilised by the SOPT. However, performance on the task was largely independent from verbal and
nonverbal cognitive ability. Overall the results suggest that the SOPT is a sensitive measure of executive working memory.

Citation

Cragg, L., & Nation, K. (2007). Self-ordered pointing as a test of working memory in typically developing children. Memory, 15(5),

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2007
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2009
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 27, 2009
• Journal: Memory
• Print ISSN: 0965-8211
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 5
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1017304
• Publisher URL: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a780327620