A reexamination of stimulus-frequency effects in recognition: two mirrors for low- and high-frequency pseudowords.

Full Abstract

The word-frequency mirror effect (more hits and fewer false alarms for low-frequency than for high-frequency words) has intrigued memory researchers, and multiple accounts have been offered to explain the result. In this study, participants were differentially familiarized to various pseudowords in a familiarization phase that spanned multiple weeks. Recognition tests given during the first week of familiarization replicated a result of W. T. Maddox and W. K. Estes (1997) that failed to show the classic word-frequency mirror effect for pseudowords; however, recognition tests given toward the end of training showed the classic mirror pattern. In addition, a stimulus-frequency mirror effect for "remember" vs. "know" judgments was obtained. These data are consistent with an account of the mirror effect that posits the involvement of dual processes for episodic recognition.

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Author information

Author/s: Reder, Lynn M (LM); Angstadt, Paige (P); Cary, Melanie (M); Erickson, Michael A (MA); Ayers, Michael S (MS);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. reder@cmu.edu

Grants: 1R01 MH52808 (Agency:United States NIMH) ; 2R01 MH52808 (Agency:United States NIMH) ; R01 MH052808-05 (Agency:United States NIMH) ; R01 MH052808-06 (Agency:United States NIMH)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Journal: Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition (J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jan; vol 28 (issue 1) : pp 138-52

Dates: Created 2002/02/05; Completed 2002/07/31; Revised 2008/05/23;

PMID: 11827076, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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