Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2026
15:57
Brain Imaging Investigation of the Memory-Enhancing Effect of Emotion
Published on: May 4, 2011
The effects of unitization on familiarity-based source memory: testing a behavioral prediction derived from
Rachel A Diana1, Andrew P Yonelinas, Charan Ranganath
1Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA. radiana@ucdavis.edu
Summary
Familiarity aids source memory when item and source details are integrated during encoding. Recollection is more critical when source information is arbitrarily linked to an item, influencing memory performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Source memory typically relies on recollection of contextual details.
- Neuroimaging suggests the perirhinal cortex, linked to familiarity, may support source memory when information is unitized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if familiarity contributes to source memory performance.
- To determine how encoding (unitized vs. arbitrary association) affects the roles of familiarity and recollection in source memory.
Main Methods:
- Three source recognition experiments were conducted.
- Receiver operating characteristics and response deadline performance were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Familiarity contributed more to source memory when item and source information were unitized during encoding.
- Encoding strategy critically influenced the contribution of familiarity to source recognition.
Conclusions:
- Familiarity can support source recognition.
- The contribution of familiarity to source memory is dependent on the initial processing of item and source information.
