The resiliency of image memorability: A predictor of memory separate from attention and priming

Abstract

Recent work has demonstrated there is a power within images to impact our later memories—an intrinsic stimulus memorability that influences memory behavior consistently across observers. This memorability is computed as explicitly reported memory performance on each image, and is significantly correlated from observer to observer. Interestingly, neuroimaging work has found that memorable versus forgettable images show distinct, early patterns within the brain even when participants are not performing an explicit memory task. Thus, a key question is whether memorability effects reflect a more automatic, bottom-up process, or are the result of top-down attentional processes. Further, how do bottom-up and top-down processes interact with stimulus memorability to influence ultimate memory performance? The current study explores these questions through the lens of four classical psychological phenomena shown to influence memory. First, a directed forgetting task shows that cognitive control is unable to override the effects of stimulus memorability. Second, an experiment manipulating depth of processing reveals a performance boost for memorable images regardless of the depth at which they are encoded. Third, results from a visual search experiment show that memorable images do not trigger automatic attentional capture, or pop-out. Finally, results from a repetition priming task demonstrate that memorability and priming are independent phenomena. In sum, memorability is an isolable phenomenon, occurring automatically, and resilient to top-down influence.