Photographs as retrieval cues for children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate photographs as an alternative type of retrieval aid suitable for pre‐school children. Fifty‐seven children (age 3;7–6;8 years) participated in a fishing game. Ten days later the children were questioned about the situation under three conditions: group 1 was interviewed only with a context‐reinstatement instruction. Group 2 additionally received photos relevant to the game as well as distractor items. Group 3 received both of these aids and was trained in the use of photos. In the photo groups more correct details were remembered compared to the control group. Accuracy in both photo groups was also enhanced by props. These results show that multiple‐choice photos combined with a reinstate context instruction are an effective retrieval aid for young children. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Images for change: community development, community arts and photography

“…Photo-elicitation has been used in a variety of ways: ethnic identification (Gold 1986), understanding behaviour (Entin 1979, Wessels 1985, enhanced memory retrieval (Aschermann et al 1998), work with young children and school students (Diamond 1996, Weiniger 1998, programme evaluations (Tucker and Dempsey 1991), and for exploring difficult and abstract concepts (Bender et al 2001).…”

Diagrammatic representation and event memory in preschoolers

“…Visual engagement: finally, each child was shown a photograph of the materials that they used to construct their tool, as well as a photograph of their completed tool and asked, 'Does this help you to remember or are you finished now?' Using photographs as a retrieval cue to prompt visuo-spatial memory was successfully used by Aschermann et al (1998) in their study with 6-7-year-olds.…”

“…'Cues' here refers to props that invite re-enactment such as dolls, objects, revisiting a scene, photographs and verbal prompts. The use of such props has also been reported more generally in relation to assisting children's memory recall of medical procedures, criminal violence and natural disasters (Goodman & Aman, 1990;Stephan & Bruck, 1993;Gross & Hane, 1998;Miller, 1998;Brown et al, 1999;Salmon & Irvine, 2002), as well as of normally experienced daily events (Price & Goodman, 1990;Priestley & Pipe, 1997;Aschermann et al, 1998).…”

Revealing the Cues Within Community Places: Storiesof Identity, History, and Possibility

“…In addition, several scholars have noted the value of photographs for facilitating reflection, sharing, and dialogue (Aschermann, Dannenberg, & Schultz, 1998;Heisley & Levy, 1991;McIntyre, 2003;Smith & Woodward, 1999;Wang & Burris, 1997). Specifically, photographs, when combined with interviews or focus groups provide additional stimulus to the participant(s), aiding recall (Aschermann et al, 1998) and potentially calling forth "associations, definitions, or ideas that otherwise go unnoticed" (Harper, 1988, p. 65), thus yielding richer information (Collier, 1979). As noted by Clark-Ibáñez ".…”