Recognition Memory for Novel Stimuli: The Structural Regularity Hypothesis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-2007
Abstract
Early studies of human memory suggest that adherence to a known structural regularity (e.g., orthographic regularity) benefits memory for an otherwise novel stimulus (e.g., G. A. Miller, 1958). However, a more recent study suggests that structural regularity can lead to an increase in false-positive responses on recognition memory tests (B. W. A. Whittlesea & L. D. Williams, 1998). In the present study the authors attempted to identify the circumstances under which structural regularity benefits old–new discrimination and those under which it leads to an increase in false-positive responses. The highly generalizable tendency shown here is for structural regularity to benefit old–new discrimination. The increase in false-positive responses for structurally regular novel items may be limited to situations in which regularity is confounded with similarity to studied items.
Department
Psychology
Publication Title
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition
Recommended Citation
Cleary, A.M., Morris, A.L., & Langley, M.M. (2007). Recognition Memory for Novel Stimuli: The Structural Regularity Hypothesis. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 33(2), 379-393. doi. 10.1037/0278-7393.33.2.379
DOI
10.1037/0278-7393.33.2.379
Link to Publisher Version (DOI)
Publisher's Copyright and Source
Copyright © 2007 American Psychological Association. Article published by the American Psychological Association in Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, volume 33, issue number 2, March 2007, pages 379-393. Available online: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0278-7393.33.2.379
