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Memory for drawings in locations: spatial source memory and event-related potentials
C Van Petten1, A J Senkfor, W M Newberg
1Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721, USA. vanpettc@u.arizona.edu
Psychophysiology
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Event-related potentials (ERPs) reveal distinct memory processes. Source memory tasks, unlike item memory tasks, show larger and longer prefrontal ERP effects, indicating unique cognitive engagement.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Memory research distinguishes between item recognition and source memory.
- Event-related potentials (ERPs) offer a temporal window into cognitive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neural correlates of item versus source memory recognition.
- To compare ERPs elicited during recognition of visual items and their spatial locations.
Main Methods:
- ERPs were recorded during recognition tasks involving line drawings (items) and their spatial locations (sources).
- Participants performed both item recognition and source recognition tasks.
Main Results:
- Recognized drawings elicited more positive ERPs compared to new drawings (old/new effect).
- The old/new effect was larger and longer-lasting over prefrontal scalp in source recognition than item recognition.
- Posterior scalp sites reflected source judgment accuracy, but with a delay after initial item recognition.
Conclusions:
- Source memory recognition engages distinct neural processes compared to item recognition.
- Prefrontal cortex plays a significant role in distinguishing between item and source memory.
- Source memory processes appear to be completed after initial item recognition.