Picture or word superiority effects in implicit memory: levels of processing, attention and retrieval constraints

Abstract

Previous research with implicit memory tests has shown that the typical picture superiority effect with explicit memory instructions can he reversed on verbal perceptual tests (e.g., word-stem completion task). Two experiments explored whether the picture superiority effect can be restored with a verbal conceptual test of implicit memory (i.e., category instance generation task). In the first experiment, participants received either a perceptual test or a conceptual test of implicit memory. Furthermore, in the study phase level of processing was varied. With a superficial orienting task, a word superiority effect was found on the perceptual test and a picture superiority effect was observed on the conceptual test. Only with a semantic orienting task, priming was found for pictures on the perceptual test and for words on the conceptual test. In the second experiment, this pattern of findings was replicated with a superficial orienting task in the study phase. Once again priming for pictures on the perceptual test and priming for words on the conceptual test was found to be at chance level. Dividing attention in the study phase did not influence these results