Memory for frequency of complex sounds

This study examined whether different testing conditions hamper or enhance the ability to remember frequency of events. Subjects were presented a series of computerized sounds during the acquisition phase and estimated during the testing phase how many times they had heard each sound. Subjects were placed into one of four conditions: (a) no labeling, subjects simply listened to the stimuli; (b) labeling, subjects devised a description for each sound; (c) continuous distractor, subjects performed a simple mathematical task for the entire acquisition periods; and (d) intermittent distractor, subjects performed the mathematical task between the sounding of stimuli. Results indicated that subjects were able to estimate frequency of events fairly well; the more times a sound was played, the higher the subjects\u27 estimates, F(4, 304) = 139.27, p = .000. The distractor conditions, however, did reduce the subjects\u27 abilities to estimate stimulus frequency