Effects of working memory load on long‐term word priming

Abstract

Three experiments assessed the role of verbal and visuo-spatial working memory in supporting long-term repetition priming for written words. In Experiment 1, two priming tasks (word stem completion and category-exemplar production) were included with three levels of load on working memory: (1) without memory load, (2) memory load that involved storing a string of six digits, and (3) memory load that involved storing a graphic shape. Experiments 2 and 3 compared the effects of a verbal (Experiment 2) or a visual (Experiment 3) working memory load at encoding on both an implicit (word stem completion) and an explicit test (cued recall). The results show no effect of memory load in any of the implicit memory tests, suggesting that priming does not rely on working memory resources. By contrast, loading working memory at encoding causes a significant disruptive effect on the explicit memory test for words when the load is verbal but not visual.

Are awareness questionnaires valid? Investigating the use of posttest questionnaires for assessing awareness in implicit memory tests

“…For example, there are studies in which some participants reported test awareness but such awareness did not mediate either the degree of priming or the presence of some effect typically associated with explicit memory (e.g., Baques, Saiz, & Bowers, 2004;Mulligan, 2003). For example, Lustig and Hasher (2001) found that awareness did not mediate interference effects in a fragment completion test.…”

Effects of divided attention in the word-fragment completion task with unique and multiple solutions

“…Several papers have reported a significant decrease in the DA condition with word-stem completion (Clarys et al, 2000;Gabrieli et al, 1999;Horton, Wilson, Vonk, Kirby, & Nielsen, 2005;Wolters & Prinsen, 1997; but for negative results see Baques, Saiz, & Bowers, 2004), rapid naming (Light & Prull, 1995), and perceptual identification (Mulligan, 2002(Mulligan, , 2003Mulligan & Hornstein, 2000), typically regarded as perceptual tasks. In other cases, DA failed to impact priming on the conceptual tests of category exemplar generation (Baques et al, 2004;Isingrini, Vazou, & Leroy, 1995;SchmitterEdgecombe, 1996) and category verification (Light et al, 2000;Mulligan & Peterson, 2008). This pattern of results is difficult to reconcile with the TAP account, but also with the identificationÁproduction distinction (because perceptual identification is often affected by DA, whereas word-stem completion and category exemplars generation tasks are sometimes preserved).…”

Implicit Eyewitness Memory

“…As it is unlikely that real-world investigators will know which words may have been visible to a given eyewitness, generating two-letter word stems of undetermined length seemed feasible and practical. In contrast, prior studies on implicit memory for written words typically present participants with three-letter word stems with a finite number of letter blanks ("hi _ _ _ _" for hiking; e.g., Baques, Saiz, & Bowers, 2004). Participants' likelihood of completing three-letter words stems with the target words are increased drastically, as the number of possible solutions are heavily controlled.…”

“…Prior research has shown implicit memory for difficult to perceive stimuli (e.g., Jacoby & Dallas, 1981) or when working memory is taxed (e.g., Baques et al, 2004), but this is the first study to show implicit memory for faces, written words, and spoken phrases presented simultaneously or in rapid succession. Taken together, the present research further supports the robustness of implicit memory across various modalities and experimental circumstances.…”

“…Baques, Saiz, and Bowers (2004) manipulated working memory load (phonological load vs. visuo-spatial load vs. no load) while having participants learn a series of words. On subsequent word stem completion (i.e., implicit memory) and (explicit) cued recall tasks, the authors found that working memory load had no effect on implicit memory performance while it did have a significant detrimental effect on explicit memory performance.…”