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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

A Within-Subject Experimental Design using an Object Location Task in Rats

A Within-Subject Experimental Design using an Object Location Task in Rats

Published on: May 6, 2021

Do losses loom larger than gains during value-directed encoding?

Gizem Filiz¹, Henry Xiao^1,2, Ian G Dobbins³

¹Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA.

Memory & Cognition

|October 21, 2025

Summary

Future losses do not loom larger than gains during encoding. Both yield better memory than neutral items if sufficient encoding time is provided, demonstrating the value-directed encoding effect.

Keywords:

Loss aversion Recognition memory The recognition heuristic Value source memory Value-directed encoding

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Area of Science:

Cognitive psychology
Behavioral economics
Neuroscience

Background:

Value-directed encoding (VDE) effect shows high-value information is better encoded.
VDE is typically studied for gains, neglecting the impact of potential losses.
Behavioral economics indicates strong motivation to avoid losses.

Purpose of the Study:

Compare encoding of potential gains, losses, and neutral items.
Investigate the influence of time constraints on VDE.
Determine if losses loom larger than gains in memory encoding.

Main Methods:

Three recognition experiments were conducted.
Encoding time was manipulated: 1s, unlimited, or 3s.
Recognition accuracy and encoding time were measured.

Main Results:

VDE effects were absent with only 1s encoding time.
With unlimited time, Win > Loss > Neutral recognition; Win and Loss words had longer encoding times.
With 3s encoding time, Win and Loss recognition rates were similar and higher than Neutral.
Memory for item value was robust, independent of VDE recognition effects.

Conclusions:

Potential future losses do not loom larger than gains during encoding.
Both gains and losses enhance encoding compared to neutral items with sufficient time (>1s).
Value-directed encoding effects are not necessary for robust memory of item value.