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Spreading activation or spooky action at a distance?
Douglas L Nelson1, Cathy L McEvoy, Lisa Pointer
1Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33620-8200, USA. dnelson2@chuma1.cas.usf.edu
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|January 29, 2003
Summary
Preexisting connections among word associates aid memory recall. The activation-at-a-distance model, where synchronous activation strengthens memory, better explains this than spreading activation.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Memory Research
- Associative Learning
Background:
- Investigating how prior associations influence word recall and recognition.
- Examining two models: spreading activation and activation at a distance.
- Spreading activation: activation spreads to, from, and among associates; return activation strengthens representation.
- Activation at a distance: synchronous activation of associates strengthens representation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine which model better explains how preexisting connections among word associates facilitate memory.
- To test predictions of both spreading-activation and activation-at-a-distance models.
Main Methods:
- Cued recall experiments were conducted.
- The study analyzed the effect of connections among word associates on recall performance.
- Evaluated the role of returning activation versus total connections.
Main Results:
- Experimental results supported the activation-at-a-distance model.
- Connections among associates facilitated recall irrespective of the number of returning connections.
- This finding contrasts with the spreading-activation model's prediction.
Conclusions:
- The activation-at-a-distance model provides a better framework for understanding how associative connections impact memory recall.
- Synchronous activation of associates is a key factor in memory strengthening.
- Further research can explore the implications for learning and memory strategies.