Survival processing effect in memory under semantic divided attention.

Abstract

Past research demonstrated enhanced memory for information encoded with relevance to a survival scenario compared to a control scenario, an effect referred to as the survival processing effect in memory. This effect has been explained by a proximate mechanism hypothesis (i.e., survival processing enables deep elaborative processing that promotes memory). In support of this hypothesis, past research found that, during encoding, the survival processing effect was largely intact under a perceptual or low-load secondary task condition but eliminated under a high-load secondary task condition. To test semantic encoding as a possible proximate mechanism, the current study assesses the impact of high-load and low-load divided attention tasks that require semantic processing of digits on the survival processing effect. Seventy-two young adults rated words for their relevance to two survival scenarios (i.e., grassland and mountain) and one non-survival control scenario (i.e., cruise), while completing a concurrent high-load or low-load semantic digit-monitoring task. No survival processing effect was found in either condition. The results suggest that semantic encoding probably serves as a proximate mechanism for the survival processing effect in memory.

Is there a survival processing effect in metacognition?

“…Some participants, for instance, may have completed the experiments in an environment that does not enable them to give all their attention to the task at hand. The importance of attention for the survival processing effect has been shown in previous studies such that survival processing effect diminishes when participants are required to rate the words presented according to their survival relevance under a divided attention paradigm (Yang et al, 2021 ). Other factors that could not have been held constant, such as the size of the computer screen or the used keyboards characteristics, may have some effects that could not be detected as well.…”

Surviving with story characters: What do we remember?

“…This adds to the modest set of findings demonstrating better memory for story details that are relevant to survival than to a non-threating situation. Although the survival advantage has been found across a wide range of conditions (e.g., Dhum et al, 2017 ; Forester et al, 2019 ; Kang et al, 2008 ; Kazanas & Altarriba, 2015 ; Kostic et al, 2012 ; Kroneisen et al, 2016 ; Munetsugu & Horiuchi, 2015 ; Nairne & Pandeirada, 2011 ; Raymaekers et al, 2014 ; Savine et al, 2011 ; Yang et al, 2021 ), less is known about the survival advantage during story reading. However, given readers are often strongly psychologically transported into the fictional world (e.g., Gerrig, 1993 ; Green & Brock, 2002 ), embodying the experiences of the story character, we hypothesized that if the story character was experiencing a survival threat, the reader would be too, leading to the same mnemonic advantage found in previous survival processing experiments.…”

“…The survival advantage has been found across a range of paradigms, materials, and encoding and testing periods (e.g., Burns et al, 2013 ; Dhum et al, 2017 ; Forester et al, 2019 ; Kang et al, 2008 ; Kazanas & Altarriba, 2015 ; Kostic et al, 2012 ; Kroneisen et al, 2016 ; Munetsugu & Horiuchi, 2015 ; Nairne et al, 2009 ; Nairne & Pandeirada, 2011 ; Raymaekers et al, 2014 ; Savine et al, 2011 ; Weinstein et al, 2008 ; Yang et al, 2014 , 2021 ). Nairne and Pandeirada ( 2010 ) proposed that any information “bathed in the spotlight of survival” benefits from a mnemonic enhancement.…”