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Contribution of perceptual fluency to recognition judgments
W A Johnston1, K J Hawley, J M Elliott
1Department of Psychology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Summary
Perceptual fluency aids recognition memory, especially after shallow study. This effect occurs when fluency arises naturally, not from artificial speeding up of word identification.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Memory Research
- Perceptual Learning
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between perceptual fluency and recognition memory is crucial for memory models.
- Previous research suggests a link between ease of processing and judgments of familiarity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causal role of perceptual fluency in recognition memory.
- To determine if naturally occurring perceptual fluency influences old/new judgments differently from artificially induced fluency.
Main Methods:
- Participants studied words using shallow (vowel counting) or deep (reading) tasks.
- Tested word identification speed and recognition memory (old/new judgments).
- Manipulated factors influencing identification speed and task structure across eight experiments.
Main Results:
- Old words were identified faster than new words, indicating implicit perceptual memory.
- Recognition judgments were influenced by perceptual fluency, particularly after shallow study.
- Artificially increasing identification speed did not consistently enhance old judgments.
Conclusions:
- Perceptual fluency contributes to recognition judgments when it stems from natural perceptual memory.
- The link between fluency and recognition is strongest when explicit memory is minimal.
- Distinguishing between naturally occurring and manipulated fluency is key to understanding memory processes.