Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
08:53
Using a Classroom-Based Deese Roediger McDermott Paradigm to Assess the Effects of Imagery on False Memories
Published on: November 14, 2018
10.4K
Short-term memory for the comparative instructions in symbolic comparison.
William M Petrusic1, Elena Gallitto1, Craig Leth-Steensen1
1Department of Psychology.
Summary
Participants remembered comparative instructions better when the stimulus size matched the instruction. For example, remembering "smaller" was easier after comparing small animals, aiding memory recall.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Memory
- Perceptual Learning
Background:
- Memory recall is influenced by contextual cues.
- The relationship between stimulus properties and memory retrieval is complex.
- Understanding how comparative judgments impact subsequent memory is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of stimulus size on memory for comparative instructions.
- To explore the contextual activation of memory representations.
- To examine how brief presentation of stimuli affects memory.
Main Methods:
- Participants (N=24) compared animal sizes and then identified the comparative instruction or stimulus size.
- Brief, selective presentation of comparative instructions or stimulus pairs was used to manipulate difficulty.
- A novel experimental paradigm was employed to isolate memory components.
Main Results:
- Memory for comparative instructions (smaller/larger) was dependent on the relative size of the stimulus pair.
- Correct identification of "smaller" instruction increased after comparing small stimuli.
- Correct identification of "larger" instruction increased after comparing large stimuli.
Conclusions:
- Stimulus size contextually activates congruent comparative instruction representations.
- This finding supports theories of context-dependent memory retrieval.
- The study highlights the interplay between perception and memory in decision-making.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Mnemonic Devices
607
Mnemonic devices are cognitive tools that facilitate memory retention by linking new information to familiar patterns or organizational strategies. These techniques are beneficial for remembering complex or lengthy sets of information by simplifying and structuring them in easily retrievable ways.
Acronyms
Acronyms are created by using the initial letters of a series of words to form a new word or phrase. This approach condenses complex information into a single, memorable entity. For example,...
Acronyms
Acronyms are created by using the initial letters of a series of words to form a new word or phrase. This approach condenses complex information into a single, memorable entity. For example,...
607
01:23System of Memory
8.0K
Memory is categorized into three major systems: sensory memory, short-term memory (STM), and long-term memory (LTM). These systems differ in their capacity and the duration for which they can hold information. Sensory memory captures raw sensory input from the environment, holding it for just a few seconds or less. For example, on hearing a brief, loud sound, like a car horn honking, the sound seems to linger in the mind for a moment even after it stops. This is an instance of sensory memory...
8.0K
01:23Storage
504
A schema is a mental framework that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemata, formed from previous experiences, influence how we process new information: how we encode it, the inferences we make, and how we retrieve it. For instance, a schema for what a typical classroom looks like might include desks, a teacher's desk, a whiteboard, and students in such an environment. This expectation helps us quickly understand and navigate new classrooms without needing to analyze...
504
01:26Causes of Similarity-Dissimilarity Effect
356
The similarity-dissimilarity effect, a fundamental concept in social psychology, explains how interpersonal similarities and differences influence attraction and social interactions. This effect is supported by three key psychological perspectives: balance theory, social comparison theory, and consensual validation.Balance Theory and Cognitive ConsistencyBalance theory, developed by Fritz Heider, posits that individuals seek cognitive consistency in their relationships. When two people share...
356
01:24Working Memory
1.3K
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
1.3K
01:18Long-Term Memory
927
Long-term memory is a relatively permanent type of memory, capable of storing vast amounts of information over extended periods. Its storage capacity is generally considered unlimited.
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
Long-term memory can be categorized into two primary types: explicit and implicit memory. Explicit memory, also known as declarative memory, involves the conscious recollection of information that we deliberately try to remember, recall, and articulate. This type of memory encompasses specific facts, events, and...
927