Short-term retention of pictorial stimuli as assessed by a probe recognition technique

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Psychology : Human Learning and Memory 1978-01, Vol.4 (1), p.55-65
• Main Authors: Weaver, George E, Stanny, Claudia J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cues; Human; Interstimulus Interval; Pictorial Stimuli; Retention; Short Term Memory; Stimulus Duration; Stimulus Similarity
• ISSN: 0096-1515; 0278-7393; 2327-9745; 1939-1285
• DOI: 10.1037/0278-7393.4.1.55

In 4 experiments with a total of 252 college students, immediate memory for sets of 5 sequentially presented pictorial stimuli was assessed by a 2-alternative, forced-choice recognition probe. Results show that recognition performance was superior, with increases in stimulus duration and in off time (interstimulus interval), and with decreases in study-set similarity. There were no consistent differences in performance as a function of the serial position of the critical stimulus, however, even with study sets involving as many as 9 stimuli (Exp III). While Ss did not evidence memory differences for individual stimuli in the study sets of Exps I-III, the introduction of a cue (a buzzer) just prior to the occurrence of the critical stimulus produced a reliable increase in recognition (Exp IV). It is suggested that immediate memory for pictures is determined by variables that increase or decrease processing demands, as is the case for verbal material. In addition, it appears that selective processing of individual pictures in a study set is possible but does not occur spontaneously with the probe testing procedure.