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A developmental evaluation of frequency memory for actions presented in lists, scripts, and stories
D A Connolly1, W E Hockley, M W Pratt
1Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada.
Memory (Hove, England)
|May 1, 1996
Summary
Frequency estimation for actions in stories is automatic, but retrieval difficulty impacts accuracy in both children and adults. This supports automatic encoding and script memory theories.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Memory Research
Background:
- Frequency estimation is a fundamental cognitive process.
- Hasher and Zacks (1984) proposed automatic and invariant encoding of frequency information.
- Understanding script memory aids in comprehending routine-based event recall.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate frequency estimation accuracy for typical and atypical actions.
- To examine age-invariant properties of frequency encoding.
- To test the Script-Pointer-Plus-Tag theory of script memory.
Main Methods:
- Adults estimated action frequencies in scripted routine stories (Experiment 1).
- Children and adults estimated frequencies of atypical actions in lists and stories (Experiments 2-3).
- Stimuli included scripted and unfamiliar activities to vary retrieval difficulty.
Main Results:
- Frequency judgments were more accurate for atypical than typical actions.
- Encoding of frequency information appears automatic and age-invariant.
- Retrieval difficulty significantly influenced frequency estimates in both age groups.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the automatic and invariant nature of frequency encoding across ages.
- Retrieval processes, not just encoding, play a crucial role in frequency estimation accuracy.
- The Script-Pointer-Plus-Tag theory of script memory is further supported by these results.