Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Eye Movement Monitoring of Memory
Published on: August 15, 2010
ERP evidence for flexible adjustment of retrieval orientation and its influence on familiarity
Ullrich K H Ecker1, Hubert D Zimmer
1Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany; University of Western Australia; School of Psychology, Crawley, WA, Australia.
Abstract:
The assumption was tested that familiarity memory as indexed by a mid-frontal ERP old-new effect is modulated by retrieval orientation. A randomly cued category-based versus exemplar-specific recognition memory test, requiring flexible adjustment of retrieval orientation, was conducted. Results show that the mid-frontal ERP old-new effect is sensitive to the manipulation of study-test congruency-that is, whether the same object is repeated identically or a different category exemplar is presented at test. Importantly, the effect pattern depends on subjects' retrieval orientation. With a specific orientation, only same items elicited an early old-new effect (same > different = new), whereas in the general condition, the old-new effect was graded (same > different > new). This supports the view that both perceptual and conceptual processes can contribute to familiarity memory and demonstrates that the rather automatic process of familiarity is not only data driven but influenced by top-down retrieval orientation, which subjects are able to adjust on a flexible basis.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic
Retrieval
Recall involves accessing information without cues, such as during an essay test, where individuals must retrieve facts and concepts from memory unaided. Another example is remembering the name of a colleague...
Impact of Schemas
Eyewitness Memory
One such error is memory distortion, which occurs because human memory does not function like a...
Serial Position Effect
Association Areas of the Cortex
Prefrontal Association Area: This area is located in the frontal lobe and is involved in planning, decision-making, and moderating social behavior. It connects with primary motor areas,...

