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Using ERPs to dissociate recollection from familiarity in picture recognition
1Department of Psychology, University of Colorado, Campus Box 345, Boulder, CO 80309-0345, USA. tcurran@psych.colorado.edu
Brain Research. Cognitive Brain Research
|November 14, 2002
Summary
This study shows event-related brain potentials (ERPs) can distinguish between recollection and familiarity in picture recognition memory. The parietal ERP effect specifically reflects recollection, especially in individuals with strong memory discrimination abilities.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Dual process theories propose distinct recollection and familiarity mechanisms underlie recognition memory.
- Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) have previously differentiated these processes for word recognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if ERPs can dissociate recollection and familiarity in picture recognition memory.
- To extend previous findings on ERPs and recognition memory to visual stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Participants discriminated between studied pictures, highly familiar lures (mirror-reversals), and new pictures.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record event-related brain potentials (ERPs).
- Analysis focused on the FN400 (300-500 ms) and parietal (400-800 ms) ERP old/new effects.
Main Results:
- The FN400 ERP old/new effect correlated with stimulus familiarity.
- The parietal ERP old/new effect correlated with recollection.
- Parietal effect differences were significant only for participants demonstrating good behavioral discrimination.
Conclusions:
- ERPs effectively differentiate familiarity (FN400) and recollection (parietal effect) in picture recognition.
- The parietal ERP old/new effect is a reliable neural correlate of recollection.
- Individual differences in memory discrimination modulate the neural signature of recollection.