Multiple Species of Distinctiveness in Memory: Separating Task Distinctiveness from Statistical Distinctiveness

<p>Distinctiveness refers to the memorial benefit of processing unique or item-specific features of a memory set relative to a non-distinctive control. Traditional distinctiveness effects are accounted for based on qualitative differences in how distinctive items are encoded at the time of study. This thesis project aims to evaluate whether a different species of distinctiveness—statistical distinctiveness—may provide a separate contribution to memory beyond traditional encoding-based processes. Statistical distinctiveness refers to the relative frequency with which a specific memory item or set is processed. The current study evaluated statistical distinctiveness through a series of <em>mixed groups</em> in which DRM lists were studied using two of the following three tasks to promote either shallow (“E” identification), neutral (reading silently), or deep/distinctive (pleasantness ratings) levels-of-processing followed by a final recognition test. Participants studied lists in which these tasks were used frequently (80% of lists), equally (50% of lists), or infrequently (20% of lists) which were further compared to a set of <em>pure groups</em> in which all lists were studied using a single task. No recognition advantage was found when tasks were completed infrequently versus frequently. Rather, recognition was greatest for the deep/distinctive task—a pattern consistent with encoding but not statistical distinctiveness.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2019

Author dc:creator

• Gretz, Matthew Robert

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mark J. Huff
• Lucas Keefer
• Alan Hajnal

• distinctiveness
• memory
• levels-of-processing
• encoding distinctiveness
• statistical distinctiveness
• personality
• Cognitive Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/676

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:aquila.usm.edu:masters_theses-1727