Visual Recognition Memory

Question 1

Single-trial learning

Answer 1

Happens at vast capacity, we can remember most of the images we see after one time, with a vast amount of detail, no saturation, not a capacity, doesn’t taper off

Question 2

Note differences in memorizing images based on details

Answer 2

When they were different: Gauge vs traffic light - 93% able to identify which one they saw
Seeing two similar items - two similar remote controls, 88% able to identify which one they saw
Same objects - difference in where bread is placed in toaster - 87% able to identify which one they saw
Not just memorizing the broad idea, but so much detail about each item.

Question 3

Hippocampal damage and recognition

Answer 3

With distinct images, a traffic light vs wheel, hippocampal damage is not detrimental, other brain areas can support memory for visually distinct images, can perform item recognition

Hippocampus is involved in judging familiarity for images that are similar to those already seen, those with damage will have a difficult time identifying minute differences, i.e. bread being placed in a different place. Have higher rates of misremembering the lures

Question 4

Image memorability variation

Answer 4

Some images are much easier to remember and forget than others
There is zero correlation for intuitions about memorability

People, atypical images tend to be more memorable.
Nature scenes, typical images tend to be forgettable.
Other memorability factors: brightness, color, object size, faces, uncluttered backgrounds

Question 5

What can recognition be divided into

Answer 5

Recollection - retrieval of specific details from event - “remember”
Familiarity - nonspecific sense that an item has been encountered before - “know”
Can be misleading since factors other than prior exposure can influence this, like similarity to someone you know

Question 6

Four different types

Answer 6

Hit, correct rejection to get a recognition memory correct
Miss, false alarm to get it wrong

Question 7

What is involved in item recognition?

Answer 7

Perirhinal and entorhinal cortex in MTL —> big lesions show poor recognition memory, spared shows better
Lesions to Entorhinal in MTL don’t produce as much of a deficit as perirhinal

Question 8

One shot familiarity in cortex

Answer 8

Cortex can handle familiarity for one item, even if exposed once

New knife you see, activates same population of neurons to lead to same feeling of familiarity
Dont need new neurons for this strategy, but would be susceptible to similar lures

Question 9

Dual vs single process account

Answer 9

Single: it’s not that hippocampus and perirhinal cortex serve different functions, familiarity is just easier, and if you have less damage you can still do familiarity
Dual process account: Double dissociation showed that hippocampus plays a role in recollection and perirhinal plays a role in familiarity