Acquisition-Test Interactions Between Different Dimensions of Encoding

• Published in: Memory & cognition Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 354 - 363
• Main Author: Morris, C D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austin, Texas Psychonomic Society 01.07.1978
• Subjects: Memory; Noun; Verbal Learning; Word Play
• ISSN: 0090-502X
• DOI: 10.3758/BF03197466

Effects of context changes on recognition memory were investigated in two experiments. Ss for experiment 1 were 36 undergraduates presented 48 concrete Ns embedded in congruous or incongruous contexts. They were then given a recognition test with words presented in old, new congruous, or new incongruous contexts. Ss for experiment 2 were 45 undergraduates; 60 Ns were used. A third encoding condition was included: target embedded in abstract definitional sentences. The design was similar to experiment 1. Results show a reliable crossover interaction between the initial encoding condition & the mode of the changed context. Congruous items were recognized better in new congruous contexts, whereas incongruous items were recognized better in new incongruous contexts. Recognition of definitional items was equally impaired by both context changes. Results suggest the importance of the symmetry between acquisition & test encoding dimensions. They also point out the need to distinguish between different ways in which the concept "integration" is used in current research. 5 Tables. Modified HA