Evidence for a memory threshold in second-choice recognition memory responses.

Full Abstract

A fundamental question in the study of cognition is whether memory strength varies continuously or whether memories sometimes fall below a threshold and fail completely. Previous studies examining this question have relied exclusively on 1 method--receiver operating characteristics--so in the current study, we addressed this issue by using a completely different approach. We tested memory for single items and for arbitrary associations (e.g., memory for random word pairs) by using a 4-alternative forced-choice test in which subjects either made a single choice or a first and a second choice. In item recognition, single- and second-choice scores were directly related, as expected if a continuous strength signal supported performance. In contrast, in associative recognition, single- and second-choice scores were found to be unrelated, as predicted by high-threshold theories. However, when the word pairs were encoded as single compound words rather than arbitrary associations, associative recognition appeared to rely more on a continuous strength process. The results support memory models that include both a continuous familiarity process and a threshold recollection process.

Author information

Author/s: Parks, Colleen M (CM); Yonelinas, Andrew P (AP);

Affiliation: Psychology Department, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154-5030, USA.

Grants: MH59352 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Jul; vol 106 (issue 28) : pp 11515-9

Dates: Created 2009/07/20; Completed 2009/09/09;

PMID: 19564612, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 9/9/2009, IMS Date: )

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