2.4 Recognition and Metamemory

Question 1

single process model recognition memory

Answer 1

continuum from strong to weak memory traces
- strong trace = recognition
- signal detection theory, threshold theory

Question 2

signal detection theory

Answer 2

normal distribution for strength of familiarity
- amount of overlap = discriminability
- no absolute threshold for recognition, jointly determined by discriminability and placement of response criterion
- hit, false alarm, miss, correct rejection
- no guessing

Question 3

Threshold model

Answer 3

exposure to an item increases its level of activation
- amount of activation determined by frequency and recency of exposure
- how activation level compares the threshold
- intermediate activation leads to uncertainty and guessing
- recall like recognition, but requires higher threshold
- to distinguish true memory from guessing: R = (hit - FA) / (1-FA)
- contradicted by word frequency effect

Question 4

Generate-Recognize Model

Answer 4

dual process model
- generate then recognize = recall
- recognize = recognition (no generation required)
- generate plausible candidates
- accounts for word frequency effect
- problems w/ unrecognized, recallable words (recognition failure)

Question 5

Judgements of Learning

Answer 5

predictions about future memory performance
- often inaccurate (we think we will do better then we do)
- inability hypothesis (we just can’t make accurate judgements)
- monitoring retrieval hypothesis (info still in WM when they make the judgement)
- better following a delay

Question 6

region of proximal learning

Answer 6

study time best spent on easiest material not yet known

Question 7

labour in vain effect

Answer 7

focus study time on too difficult info with small JOLs, gain little from time spent

Question 8

feeling of knowing

Answer 8

sense that unrecalled word would be recognized
- response faster to FOK than to knowing the answer, means we know we know something before we actually know it

Question 9

tip of the tongue

Answer 9

feeling of temporary inaccessibility
- can retrieve related details like the first letter, the word in another language, etc.

Question 10

knowing that you don’t know

Answer 10

these judgements made rapidly
- hypothesis: we use the familiarity of the cue to make our judgement
- if cue is familiar, our response is slower because of a memory search