The modality effect: a result of methodology?

Modality differences for short-term (STM) and long-term memory (LTM) were investigated. Sixty-eight subjects participated in one of four conditions: Auditory STM, Verbal STM, Auditory LTM, and Verbal LTM. Analysis of the number of words correctly recalled showed a significant interaction between modality and store. Contrary to both Engle and Mobley's (1976) and Penney's (1975, 1989a, 1989b) findings, further analysis showed that the auditory mode was superior in STM and that no modality difference existed in LTM. It was concluded that the LTM modality effect is less robust than that found in STM. Possible methodological reasons for the conflicting results of the past as well as areas of potential future research were discussed.