Investigating the Relationship Between Sensory-Specific Memory Formation and Learning Style Preference

Abstract

Background: Memory processing and the ability to concentrate on a given activity has been shown to differ depending on the sensory modality which is stimulated. This is key because although learners appear to follow the same basic learning process and stages; some learners appear to find learning easier or are more effective than others. Aim: This study aims to investigate the relationship between sensory-specific memory formation (auditory, visual and tactile), cognitive ability and perceived/objective learning styles. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Physiology Department of the University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu. A purposive sampling technique was used to select a total of 94 study participants who were assessed using a standard structured questionnaire and a battery of physiological (Visual sensitivity – Pelli Robson Chart; Auditory sensitivity – Audiometry; Tactile Sensitivity – Vibration Pereption Threshold) and cognitive assessments (Visual memory – Self ordered pointing task; tactile memory – Tactile Performance measure; Auditory memory – Babcock Test).. Results: A total of 94 medical students were enrolled in this study. Based on self-reported data, 33(35.1%) preferred the visual learning style, 15(16.0%) preferred the auditory learning style, 43(45.7%) had equal learning style preference and only 3(3.2%) students preferred the tactile learning style. Barsch tactile learning style scores of second-year medical students (21.2±4.2) were significantly lower and different (p= 0.020) than the tactile learning scores of students in the other year groups (1st year -24.1±5.6, 3rd year -24.8±3.7 and 4th year and above -23.3±3.4). A strong correlation between students’ auditory memory processing and the Barsch auditory learning style of medical students was also found in this study. Conclusion: The findings of the study reveal that distinct student learning styles are linked to specific memory performance and processing. Furthermore, the visual learning style was found to be the most popular, followed by auditory and tactile learning styles.