Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
06:35
Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
Published on: April 28, 2016
Memory reactivation in the second year of life
Vivian C Hsu1, Carolyn Rovee-Collier
1Department of Psychology, Rutgers University, 152 Frelinghuysen Rd., Piscataway, NJ 08854-8020, USA.
Infant Behavior & Development
|December 2, 2006
Summary
Memory reactivation, or priming, aids infant memory retention. This study shows priming effects change with age, impacting cognitive development in the second year of life.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Infant Memory
Background:
- Memory reactivation's effects on infant retention are understudied beyond 12 months.
- The second postnatal year is a critical period for cognitive development and memory consolidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of memory reactivation (priming) on retention in infants aged 15 and 18 months.
- To determine how different prime durations affect memory recall in early development.
- To explore the underlying mechanisms of memory reactivation across infancy.
Main Methods:
- Infants learned an operant train task, experienced forgetting, and received either a 2-min or 10-s reactivation prime.
- Retention was tested after varying delays, including delays significantly longer than initial memory spans.
- Three experiments systematically varied prime duration and retention intervals.
Main Results:
- Both 15- and 18-month-olds showed improved retention after priming, but optimal prime duration differed by age.
- Memory reactivation extended retention, with forgetting rates varying based on prime duration and age.
- The quantitative, but not qualitative, changes in reactivation suggest a consistent underlying memory mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Memory reactivation is a viable method for enhancing infant memory retention throughout the second postnatal year.
- Age-dependent effects of priming highlight developmental changes in memory processing during infancy.
- These findings underscore the significance of early experiences and memory mechanisms in shaping cognitive development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:23Immunological Memory
Immunological memory, a pivotal pillar of the adaptive immune system, is responsible for the body's ability to remember and respond more swiftly and effectively to previously encountered pathogens. This remarkable feature is what makes vaccines so effective in preventing diseases.
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
What is Immunological Memory?
Immunological memory is an integral function of the immune system that allows it to recognize and react more rapidly and effectively to pathogens previously encountered. This feature is...
01:26Higher Mental Functions of Brain: Learning and Memory
Memory is one of the most vital higher mental functions of the brain. Memory is closely related to learning because it enables us to retain information and experiences from our past to use them in our present life. It also helps us to remember facts, events, and skills, such as riding a bike or swimming. There are two types of memory — declarative memory, which involves memorizing facts or events, and procedural memory, which enables us to remember how to do something like writing or playing an...
01:20Traumatic Memory
Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual remembers mundane...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
01:24Implicit Memories
Implicit memories, also known as non-declarative memories, are long-term memories that function outside of conscious awareness. These memories influence behavior and skills without explicit knowledge. This type of memory is evident in tasks like playing tennis, snowboarding, and texting. Implicit memory has three subsystems: procedural memory, conditioning, and priming. This type of memory is essential in various activities, from everyday tasks to specialized skills.
One key aspect of implicit...
One key aspect of implicit...
01:14Autobiographical Memory
Autobiographical memory is a unique type of episodic memory that involves recollecting personal life experiences. It allows individuals to remember significant events from their past, creating a narrative of their lives. One interesting phenomenon related to autobiographical memory is the reminiscence bump. This effect refers to the tendency of adults to recall more events from their second and third decades of life — typically between ages 10 to 30 — than from other periods. This period is...