Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
07:26
The Deese-Roediger-McDermott (DRM) Task: A Simple Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate False Memories in the Laboratory
Published on: January 31, 2017
[Two possible modes of memory trace reproduction]
T Natishvili1, T Bagashvili, G Andronikashvili
1Laboratory for Experimental Neurology, Research Center for Life Sciences, Tbilisi, Georgia.
Georgian Medical News
|December 28, 2011
Summary
This study compared two spatial memory tasks in cats. Results suggest cats use different memory retrieval strategies, "cue recall" in direct tasks and "cue recognition" in indirect tasks.
Area of Science:
- Comparative psychology
- Animal cognition
Background:
- Spatial memory is crucial for survival.
- Domestic cats (Felis catus) possess sophisticated cognitive abilities.
- Delayed response tasks are standard for assessing memory in animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate spatial memory in domestic cats using two variants of the delayed response task.
- To explore potential differences in memory retrieval mechanisms between the two task variants.
Main Methods:
- Eight adult domestic cats were divided into two groups (n=4 each).
- Group 1 performed a direct delayed response (DDR) task using visual cues and distal landmarks.
- Group 2 performed an indirect delayed response (IDDR) task involving visual discrimination of stimuli.
Main Results:
- Cats in the DDR task successfully utilized distal landmarks for memory recall.
- Cats in the IDDR task relied on visual discrimination for memory recognition.
- Performance criteria were established before introducing longer delay intervals (up to one hour).
Conclusions:
- Two distinct visuospatial memory retrieval strategies were identified in cats.
- Direct tasks (DDR) appear to engage 'cue recall' mechanisms.
- Indirect tasks (IDDR) seem to involve 'cue recognition' mechanisms.
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