The effects of types of stimuli, mediation, and recall on memory.

Abstract

It was hypothesized that the manner in which subjects transform stimuli, the types of stimuli presented to subjects, and the method of recall have an effect on memory. Eighty-eight randomly selected undergraduates were used in a 2X2X2 random groups design. Subjects were asked to imagine or trace words or pictures, and then the number of items remembered was tested through free recall or recognition. The results indicate that there is no significant difference in item recall 1£ stimuli are traced as opposed to imagined. More picture stimuli were recalled as opposed to words, and recognition of items was superior to tree recall. A significant interaction indicated that picture stimuli enhanced tree recall more than it did recognition of stimuli. The results are in agreement with previous studies.