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Exploring the role of episodic memory consolidation in predicting existing L2 vocabulary in proficient learners
Poster Session C, Saturday, September 13, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Field House
This poster is part of the Sandbox Series.
Jiayi Lu1, Jueyao Lin1, Lu Li1, Jingran Huang1, Zhengqin Liu1, Xiaocong Chen1, Michael T. Ullman2, Caicai Zhang1; 1The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2Georgetown University
INTRODUCTION: Vocabulary acquisition is critical for second language (L2) learning. The Declarative/Procedural (DP) model posits that the declarative memory system supports the learning and retention of lexical information (Ullman, 2001). However, the long-term contribution of the episodic memory subsystem, which supports declarative memory for specific events, to L2 vocabulary remains debated. While the Complementary Learning Systems model suggests episodic memory’s contribution may decline as L2 proficiency advances (Davis & Gaskell, 2009), the Episodic L2 Hypothesis argues for its persistent contributions even at high proficiency levels (Jiang & Forster, 2001). Empirical findings on the link between episodic memory and L2 lexical development are mixed (Ruiz et al., 2018; Walker, 2020), potentially due to methodological limitations. Notably, prior studies have often overlooked the crucial role of memory consolidation by measuring only immediate, single-time-point episodic memory performance. Furthermore, these studies often used artificial language paradigms, focusing on early-stage learners new to the specific language. Therefore, evaluating episodic memory consolidation efficiency in proficient learners is essential to clarify its lasting contribution to their established L2 vocabulary and to test competing theoretical claims about its role. This study addresses these gaps using an immediate and overnight delayed testing design to examine the relationship between episodic memory consolidation efficiency (relative memory performance change over 24 hours) and established L2 vocabulary knowledge in proficient L2 learners. METHODS: Fifty native Cantonese-speaking young adults completed the LexTALE (Lemhöfer & Broersma, 2012), a yes/no lexical decision test assessing existing L2 English vocabulary knowledge. As for episodic memory, the participants performed a nonverbal scene recognition task for intentional encoding followed by 10-minute immediate (Day 1) and 24-hour delayed (Day 2) recognition tests. Recognition sensitivity (d’) was calculated for both tests. An episodic memory consolidation efficiency index was then calculated as the relative change rate in d’: (d’ of Day 2 – d’ of Day 1) / d’ of Day 1. Three regression models examined the relationship between the LexTALE scores (controlling for age and gender) and different episodic memory measures: immediate recognition (d’ of Day 1), delayed recognition (d’ of Day 2), and the consolidation efficiency index. RESULTS: Neither immediate (β=-0.06, p=.674) nor delayed (β=0.14, p=.333) recognition sensitivity significantly predicted LexTALE scores. However, the consolidation efficiency index, reflecting the relative d-prime change over 24 hours, demonstrated a marginally significant positive relationship with the participants’ LexTALE scores (β=0.27, p =.056, partial R2=0.077, corresponding to a partial f2=0.08). Furthermore, a 10000-iteration simulation-based priori power analysis recommends a sample size of approximately 108 to achieve 80% power in future investigations using the consolidation efficiency index, given the effect size observed here. CONCLUSION: Episodic memory consolidation efficiency might offer unique predictive value for existing L2 vocabulary, demonstrating a marginal positive relationship not observed for immediate or delayed recognition performance in this study. Future studies with a larger sample size should further verify the results here. The preliminary findings offered some tentative support for the Episodic L2 Hypothesis which posits persistent episodic memory involvement and the DP model.
Topic Areas: Language Development/Acquisition, Meaning: Lexical Semantics