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Do Rhymes Enhance Memory Processes? Real word and pseudoword recall in rhyming conditions

Abstract

Rhyme is regarded as a powerful mnemonic device that facilitates cognitive processing. Previous studies mainly examined rhyme-perception development in the case of children (e.g., Kiràly et al., 2017); thus, instead, the present research focuses on information-recall processes in the adult population. In cultural transmission processes, rhyme and memory are closely connected (cf. Kirby et al., 2008); therefore, there is a need for research investigating whether and how the adult population's recall ability is enhanced by rhymes to gain a better understanding of the rhyme‚Äìmemory relationship. The present study examines whether rhyming words are more likely to be recalled than their non-rhyming counterparts. Results suggest that rhymes affect short- and long-term consolidation of real words and pseudowords in the case of adult participants (N = 38). By gaining insight into recall processes related to rhyming, it may be possible to understand information retrieval procedures in the context of cognitive poetics.

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