Are memory self-efficacy and memory performance related? A meta-analysis.

Abstract

The association between memory self-efficacy (MSE) and memory performance is highly documented in the literature. However, previous studies have produced inconsistent results, and there is no consensus on the existence of a significant link between these two variables. In order to evaluate whether or not the effect size of the MSE-memory performance relationship in healthy adults is significant and to test several theory-driven moderators, we conducted a meta-analysis of published and unpublished studies. A random-effects model analysis of data from 107 relevant studies (673 effect sizes) indicated a low but significant weighted mean correlation between MSE and memory performance, r = .15, 95% CI [.13, .17]. In addition, the mean effect size was significantly moderated by the way MSE was assessed. Memory performance was more strongly related to concurrent MSE (perceived current ability to perform a given task) than it was to global MSE (perceived usual memory ability in general). Furthermore, we found marginally larger MSE-memory performance correlations when the memory situations used to assess MSE involved familiar stimuli. No effect of the method used to assess global MSE or domain MSE (memory rating vs. performance predictions) was found. The results also show that the resource demands of the memory tasks have a moderator effect, as the MSE-performance correlation is larger with free-recall and cued-recall tasks than it is with recognition tasks. Limitations (generalization issues, moderators not considered) and implications for future research are discussed.

Older Adults' Use of Retrieval Strategies in Everyday Life

“…Like other naturalistic studies [e.g., [2], [4], [6], [7]], we found age-related sparing in everyday performance. Retrieval use relies less on basic cognitive abilities than do algorithms [14,18].…”

“…These naturalistic studies measure learning and/or memory in everyday settings to maximize ecological validity (sacrificing experimental control) [9]. In addition to reduced age differences, performance in naturalistic studies does not always correlate with standardized measures of cognitive abilities [ [4,6,7,9,] but see [10]]. By contrast, simulation studies replace standard laboratory stimuli with more ecologically valid stimuli to improve validity without sacrificing (as much) experimental control [9].…”

Decomposing the relationship between cognitive functioning and self-referent memory beliefs in older adulthood: what’s memory got to do with it?

“…The relationship between memory beliefs and memory performance has been a major topic of investigation in cognitive aging for the past three decades (Beaudoin & Desrichard, 2011; Berry, 1999; Dixon & Hultsch, 1983; Gilewski & Zelinski, 1986; Hertzog et al, 1990; Rebok & Balcerak, 1989; Stine-Morrow et al, 2006; West & Yassuda, 2004). However, little attention has been given to understanding the extent to which poor subjective memory beliefs may reflect broader changes in general cognitive functioning.…”

“…Importantly, memory performance has been shown to have a modest but reliable relationship with beliefs about memory, with some suggesting that age-related declines in memory beliefs are partially responsible for declines in episodic memory (Berry & West, 1993; Parisi et al, 2011; Stine-Morrow et al, 2006). A recent meta-analysis of over 100 studies by Beaudoin and Desrichard (2011) has shown that the meta-analytic correlation between memory beliefs and memory performance is statistically significant, but rather modest ( r = .15), with substantial variability in effect sizes across studies.…”

Conhecimento e autoeficácia de memória em adultos: relações com indicadores socioeducacionais

“…Uma outra abordagem sobre autoeficácia, partindo-se do referencial teórico da metamemória, traz o conceito em um nível mais geral, em que a autoeficácia de memória corresponderia a um julgamento mais generalizado, deduzido a partir de características específicas de determinada tarefa e situação (Beaudoin & Desrichard, 2011). Hertzog e Dixon (1994) afirmaram que a autoeficácia de memória é a percepção que um indivíduo tem de dominar ou de se sentir capaz em usar a memória eficazmente em situações de memorização.…”