Perceptual and nonperceptual components of implicit memory for pictures

The transfer appropriate processing (TAP) framework posits that in data-driven tasks, such as picture naming (PN) or picture perceptual identification, repetition priming is greater when perceptual processes engaged at study are recapitulated at test. Thus, priming with pictures is greater after study-phase exposure to pictures than to words (picture names). A. S. Brown, D. R. Neblett, T. C. Jones, and D. B. Mitchell (1991) reported that a pure-list format eliminated perceptual priming: Participants who saw either pictures or words in a study phase showed equal priming in a PN task. In the present study, participants showed greater priming after exposure to pure lists of pictures than to pure lists of words in 3 PN and 1 picture perceptual identification experiments. Thus, perceptual priming occurred in 4 pure-list picture priming tasks, as predicted by the TAP framework. Priming also was found after exposure to words. In PN and picture perceptual identification tasks, implicit memory for pictures includes perceptual and nonperceptual components.