Abstract
Two experiments tested recognition memory for rapidly presented stimuli. In Experiment I 16 words were presented at exposure times ranging from 25 to 500 msec followed by a yes-no recognition test. The results showed a strong dependence of memory performance on both exposure time and serial position. In Experiment II 16 random forms were presented at exposure times ranging from 125 to 2000 msec followed by a yes-no recognition test. Results for random forms showed that memory performance was strongly dependent on exposure time but not on serial position. Taken together, the results of Experiments I and II suggest qualitative encoding differences between verbal vs nonverbal stimuli.
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This research was carried out while the author was a National Science Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow at New York University and was further supported by a National Science Foundation grant to the author at the University of Washington. Thanks are expressed to Carol Razel, who generated the stimuli for Experiment I, and to Thomas Nelson for his comments on the manuscript. Thanks are also expressed to George Sperling, who provided a great deal of invaluable guidance and wisdom while the author was at New York University.
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Loftus, G.R. Acquisition of information from rapidly presented verbal and nonverbal stimuli. Memory & Cognition 2, 545–548 (1974). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196918
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196918