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Recognition-induced forgetting of faces in visual long-term memory
Kelsi F Rugo1, Kendall N Tamler2, Geoffrey F Woodman2
1Department of Psychology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics
|September 14, 2017
Summary
Even highly memorable items like faces can be forgotten due to recognition-induced forgetting, challenging previous assumptions about memory for expert objects. This impacts memory models and eyewitness testimony.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- Long-term memory research traditionally relies on word-based studies.
- Visual long-term memory shows recognition-induced forgetting (RIF) for everyday objects.
- Faces are considered objects of expertise, potentially differing in memory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if faces, as expert stimuli, are susceptible to recognition-induced forgetting.
- To examine the implications of RIF for faces on memory models.
- To assess consequences for eyewitness testimony and legal systems.
Main Methods:
- Experimental design to test recognition-induced forgetting.
- Utilizing face stimuli known for high memorability.
- Comparison of forgetting patterns for faces versus everyday objects.
Main Results:
- Faces are susceptible to recognition-induced forgetting, contrary to expectations.
- Expertise does not confer immunity to RIF for faces.
- This finding challenges existing memory models regarding expert object representation.
Conclusions:
- Recognition-induced forgetting affects even highly familiar and expert-recognized stimuli like faces.
- Memory models need to incorporate RIF for expert objects.
- Eyewitness testimony accuracy may be influenced by RIF in face recognition.
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