Chapter 1. Implicit and Explicit Memory

1.1 Introduction

Cognitive Tool Kit
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Implicit and Explicit Memory

The human memory system is divided into subsystems of implicit and explicit memory. The main difference between explicit and implicit memory is the role of awareness. In implicit memory, prior experiences aid future performance without conscious recollection. Explicit memory is the conscious recollection of previously experienced material. Memory capacity and durability are measured differently depending on whether researchers are interested in implicit memory or explicit memory. Explicit memory is primarily assessed using recognition or recall tasks. Implicit memory is assessed using tasks such as repetition priming and word-fragment completion. Jacoby (1983) conducted research on the distinctions between these two memory systems.

1.2 Experiment Setup

1.3 Instructions

Instructions

You will need to press the space bar to begin the experiment. This experiment has two sections, a study phase followed by a test phase.

During the study phase, a set of horizontal bars will appear in the center of the screen. Please focus on this area. Soon after, sets of antonyms (words of opposite meaning) will be presented on the screen between where the lines were presented. Sometimes you will be asked for a response related to a presented word.

Before starting your test, you will take a break for a few minutes. During the test you will be presented with a variety of words. You will have to report if you have seen these words during the study phase ("o" for old ) or if they are new (“n”).

Keyboard Responses

Participants will type out the words they saw in the recall condition and choose from the options (n or o) in the recognition test.

Key What Response Means
o The word appeared in the study
n The word didn’t appear in the study

1.4 Experiment

Begin Experiment

1.5 Results

Results

1.6 Debriefing

Debriefing

The results of this experiment demonstrate that different study strategies are effective for different memory tasks. For the (implicit) perceptual identification task participants performed best following a data-driven encoding (study phase) task. The alternative finding is true for the (explicit) recognition memory task. For the recognition task participants performed best with a conceptually-driven (study phase) task. This dissociation provides strong evidence for the existence of two separate and distinct memory systems.

References:

Roediger, H. L. (1990). Implicit memory: Retention without remembering. American Psychologist, 45, 1043-1056.

Schachter, D. L. (1987). Implicit memory: History and current status. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory and Cognition, 13, 501-518.

Jacoby, L. L. (1983). Remembering the data: Analyzing interactive processes in reading. Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 22, 485-508.

1.7 Quiz

Quiz

Question 1.1

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1
Incorrect.
Correct.
The primary independent variable is whether participants were tested explicitly or implicitly.

Question 1.2

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1
Correct.
Incorrect.
The primary dependent variable, in both the explicit and implicit conditions, is recognition score.

Question 1.3

e9MjiFCWVPe1kN9bsJnbwjMjzhgP8EqYaFZWReyEJ8vGM+eGZGx+qKvGylwDTST+/a1miQAuWkvCuIGOxqZdalr4aDWvi55wCboKA5NnPgm1AJNARhJ3yrRfyFN5ARpJQ63ltHCWjbsto17lOpyO1S39JyGqXaeyTDtgO+8qsrJ33C9f+fy4qb/g/bOBK86LeXZOpg1K/rkjhH3RL50jTufBuQFezd5XY/VGi3GEb3Y75AvaINisvTpcLat+GUDaOUNzQG6FCzA=
1
Correct.
Incorrect.
Jacoby’s work primarily dealt with the distinction between explicit and implicit memory.

Question 1.4

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Correct.
Incorrect.
Recall and recognition tasks are examples of explicit memory tasks because it is clear to those performing these tasks that they test the ability to retrieve information previously presented.

Question 1.5

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Correct.
Incorrect.
The word-fragment completion task is an example of an implicit memory task because it tests the ability to retrieve and use information previously presented in an indirect way; material that has been learned may guide performance of a somewhat related task without the conscious knowledge of the participant.