Variables influencing memory over long periods of time for recently learned face-name pairs

The ability to match faces with corresponding names was studied under various conditions involving encoding and retrieval. Twenty photographs of undergraduates were randomly paired with 20 common names. Experiment 1 presented the photographs for 10 s each, followed by either presentation of the names alone with the instruction to write face characteristics from memory or presentation of the photographs again with instructions to write from memory the names and anything unusual about the names themselves. Later retrieval was best for the former condition and was interpreted as showing that names could prime image representations of faces. Experiment 2 was a partial replication of Experiment 1 with retrieval measured over 7 weeks. These results showed that memories for face-name matches lasted several weeks. Also, consistent with Experiment 1, the number of reported initial face characteristics was highly predictive of matches between faces and names. These studies show the importance for later retrieval of forming and maintaining vivid images of faces even when the faces have no outstanding characteristics.