Effects of imagery on perceptual implicit tests of memory

Experiments reported here demonstrate that imagery can promote priming on perceptual implicit memory tests. In Experiment 1, when subjects were given words during a study phase and asked to form mental images of corresponding pictures, more priming was obtained on a picture fragment identification test than from a condition in which subjects performed a semantic analysis of words. Experiments 2a and 2b replicated the finding of imaginal priming. In Experiment 3, imaginal priming of picture fragment identification occurred for recoverable fragments, but not nonrecoverable fragments. Experiment 4 showed that the imagery effect was restricted to the imaged type of material: imagining pictures (when presented with words) primed picture fragment identification but not word fragment completion. Similarly, when pictures were presented, imagining the corresponding words primed word fragment completion but not picture fragment identification. Overall, results support the hypothesis that imagining engages the same mechanisms used in perception, thereby producing priming.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Sciences

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

1994

Author dc:creator

• McDermott, Kathleen Blyth

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Roediger, Henry L., III

• Experimental psychology

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/13868

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/13868