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Recognition memory: adding a response deadline eliminates recollection but spares familiarity
Magdalena M Sauvage1, Zachery Beer, Howard Eichenbaum
1Center for Memory and Brain, Boston University, Boston 02215, Massachusetts, USA.
Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)
|February 16, 2010
Summary
Memory research explores distinct familiarity and recollection processes versus a single memory strength process. New findings show response deadlines selectively impair recollection, supporting separate memory systems.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- Ongoing debate in memory research: distinct familiarity and recollection processes or a single continuum of memory strength.
- Previous animal model studies using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses suggested familiarity can be eliminated while sparing recollection by manipulating memory demands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dissociation between familiarity and recollection processes in recognition memory.
- To determine if different experimental manipulations differentially affect familiarity and recollection.
- To provide further evidence for or against the dual-process theory of recognition memory.
Main Methods:
- Recognition memory testing in an animal model.
- Introduction of a response deadline manipulation during recognition testing.
- Analysis of performance patterns to infer the contributions of familiarity and recollection.
Main Results:
- A response deadline during recognition testing eliminated the contribution of recollection.
- The addition of a response deadline spared the contribution of familiarity.
- This pattern of results was the opposite of findings from studies manipulating memory demands.
Conclusions:
- Familiarity and recollection are differentially sensitive to specific memory demands.
- The findings strongly support the dual-process view of recognition memory, positing distinct neural substrates for familiarity and recollection.
- Experimental manipulations can selectively isolate the contributions of these two memory processes.
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