Free Recall Memory Test Research Articles

Decoding episodic autobiographical memory in naturalistic virtual reality

Episodic autobiographical memory (EAM) is a long-term memory system of personally experienced events with their context – what, where, when – and subjective elements, e.g., emotions, thoughts, or self-reference. EAM formation has rarely been studied in a controlled, real-life-like paradigm, and there is no predictive model of long-term retrieval from self-rated subjective experience at encoding. The present longitudinal study, with three surprise free recall memory tests immediately, one-week and one-month after encoding, investigated incidental encoding of EAM in an immersive virtual environment where 30 participants either interacted with or observed specific events of varying emotional valences with simultaneous physiological recordings. The predictive analyses highlight the temporal dynamics of the predictors of EAM from subjective ratings at encoding: common characteristics related to sense of remembering and infrequency of real-life encounter of the event were identified over time, but different variables become relevant at different time points, such as the emotion and mental imagery or prospective aspects. This dynamic and time-dependent role of memory predictors challenges traditional views of a uniform influence of encoding factors over time. Current evidence for the multiphasic nature of memory formation points to the role of different mechanisms at play during encoding but also consolidation and subsequent retrieval.

Age affects pigeons\u2019 (Columba livia) memory capacity but not representation of serial order during a locomotor sequential-learning task

Aging affects individuals of every species, with sometimes detrimental effects on memory and cognition. The simultaneous-chaining task, a sequential-learning task, requires subjects to select items in a predetermined sequence, putting demands on memory and cognitive processing capacity. It is thus a useful tool to investigate age-related differences in these domains. Pigeons of three age groups (young, adult and aged) completed a locomotor adaptation of the task, learning a list of four items. Training began by presenting only the first item; additional items were added, one at a time, once previous items were reliably selected in their correct order. Although memory capacity declined noticeably with age, not all aged pigeons showed impairments compared to younger pigeons, suggesting that inter-individual variability emerged with age. During a subsequent free-recall memory test in the absence of reinforcement, when all trained items were presented alongside novel distractor items, most pigeons did not reproduce the trained sequence. During a further forced-choice test, when pigeons were given a choice between only two of the trained items, all three age groups showed evidence of an understanding of the ordinal relationship between items by choosing the earlier item, indicating that complex cognitive processing, unlike memory capacity, remained unaffected by age.

Age-related prefrontal cortex activation in associative memory: An fNIRS pilot study

Older adults typically perform more poorly than younger adults in free recall memory tests. This age-related deficit has been linked to decline of brain activation and brain prefrontal lateralization, which may be the result of compensatory mechanisms. In the present pilot study, we investigated the effect of age on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during performance of a task that requires memory associations (temporal vs. spatial clustering), using functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). Ten younger adults, ten cognitively high-performing older individuals, and ten low-performing older individuals completed a free recall task, where either a temporal or spatial strategy (but not both simultaneously) could be employed to retrieve groups of same-category stimuli, whilst changes in PFC hemodynamics were recorded by means of a 12-channel fNIRS system. The results suggest PFC activation, and right lateralization specific to younger adults. Moreover, age did not affect use of memory organization, given that temporal clustering was preferred over spatial clustering in all groups. These findings are in line with previous literature on the aging brain and on temporal organization of memory. Our results also suggest that the PFC may be specifically involved in memory for temporal associations. Future research may consider whether age-related deficits in temporal organization may be an early sign of PFC pathology and possible neurodegeneration.

When 10 is enough: Errors on the first 10 items of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMMe10) and administration time predict freestanding performance validity tests (PVTs) and underperformance on memory measures

It is critical that we develop more efficient performance validity tests (PVTs). A shorter version of the Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) that utilizes errors on the first 10 items (TOMMe10) has shown promise as a freestanding PVT. Retrospective review included 397 consecutive veterans administered TOMM trial 1 (TOMM1), the Medical Symptom Validity Test (MSVT), and the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R). TOMMe10 accuracy and administration time were used to predict performance on freestanding PVTs (TOMM1, MSVT). The impact of failing TOMMe10 (2 or more errors) on independent memory measures was also explored. TOMMe10 was a robust predictor of TOMM1 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.97) and MSVT (AUC = 0.88) with sensitivities = 0.76 to 0.89 and specificities = 0.89 to 0.96. Administration time predicted PVT performance but did not improve accuracy compared to TOMMe10 alone. Failing TOMMe10 was associated with clinically and statistically significant declines on the BVMT-R and MSVT Paired Associates and Free Recall memory tests (d = −0.32 to −1.31). Consistent with prior research, TOMMe10 at 2 or more errors was highly accurate in predicting performance on other well-validated freestanding PVTs. Failing just 1 freestanding PVT (TOMMe10) significantly impacted memory measures and likely reflects invalid test performance.

Can implicit measures detect source information in crime-related amnesia?

ABSTRACTParticipants who are asked to simulate amnesia for a mock crime have a weaker memory for this event when they have to give up their role as a feigner, than those who are not asked to feign memory loss. According to the source monitoring framework (SMF), this memory-undermining effect of simulating amnesia for a crime would be due to misattribution of the right source of information. However, we know that the content of self-generated information (e.g., feigned version of the crime) might be preserved and recognised over time as a result of elaborative cognitive processing. In the present study, we aimed to contrast these two explanations. We showed participants a mock crime video and we instructed them to either feign amnesia (simulators) or confess the mock crime (confessors). Next, a free recall memory test was administered. After one week, participants were asked to perform a personalised source monitoring task using the autobiographical Implicit Association Test (aIAT). As predicted, we found that simulators were able to discriminate the content of their self-generated feigned story of the crime from the original version. Moreover, simulators were quicker than confessors at the aIAT task. Practical and theoretical implications of our results are discussed.

Orthographic neighborhood effects in recognition and recall tasks in a transparent orthography.

The number of orthographic neighbors of a word influences its probability of being retrieved in recognition and free recall memory tests. Even though this phenomenon is well demonstrated for English words, it has yet to be demonstrated for languages with more predictable grapheme-phoneme mappings than English. To address this issue, 4 experiments were conducted to investigate effects of number of orthographic neighbors (N) and effects of frequency of occurrence of orthographic neighbors (NF) on memory retrieval of Brazilian Portuguese words. One hundred twenty-four Brazilian Portuguese speakers performed first a lexical-decision task (LDT) on words that were factorially manipulated according to N and NF, and intermixed with either nonpronounceable nonwords without orthographic neighbors (Experiments 1A and 2A), or with pronounceable nonwords with a large number of orthographic neighbors (Experiments 1B and 2B). The words were later used as probes on either recognition (Experiments 1A and 1B) or recall tests (Experiments 2A and 2B). Words with 1 orthographic neighbor were consistently better remembered than words with several orthographic neighbors in all recognition and recall tests. Notably, whereas in Experiment 1A higher false alarm rates were yielded for words with several rather than 1 orthographic neighbor, in Experiment 1B higher false alarm rates were yielded for words with 1 rather than several orthographic neighbors. Effects of NF, on the other hand, were not consistent among memory tasks. The effects of N on the recognition and recall tests conducted here are interpreted in light of dual process models of recognition. (PsycINFO Database Record

The list-composition effect in memory for emotional and neutral pictures: Differential contribution of ventral and dorsal attention networks to successful encoding

The Emotional enhancement of memory (EEM) is observed in immediate free-recall memory tests when emotional and neutral stimuli are encoded and tested together (“mixed lists”), but surprisingly, not when they are encoded and tested separately (“pure lists”). Here our aim was to investigate whether the effect of list-composition (mixed versus pure lists) on the EEM is due to differential allocation of attention. We scanned participants with fMRI during encoding of semantically-related emotional (negative valence only) and neutral pictures. Analysis of memory performance data replicated previous work, demonstrating an interaction between list composition and emotional valence. In mixed lists, neural subsequent memory effects in the dorsal attention network were greater for neutral stimulus encoding, while neural subsequent memory effects for emotional stimuli were found in a region associated with the ventral attention network. These results imply that when life experiences include both emotional and neutral elements, memory for the latter is more highly correlated with neural activity representing goal-directed attention processing at encoding.

Progesterone and mental imagery interactively predict emotional memories.

Different lines of research suggest that the consolidation of emotional memories is influenced by (a) endogenous levels of sex hormones, and (b) individual differences in the capacity to use vivid mental imagery. No studies to date have investigated how these factors may interact to influence declarative emotional memories. This study examined the interacting influence of progesterone and mental imagery strength on emotional memory consolidation. Twenty-four men, 20 women from the low progesterone (follicular) menstrual phase, and 20 women from the high progesterone (mid-luteal) phase of the cycle were assessed using an objective performance-based measure of mental imagery strength, and then shown a series of aversive and neutral images. Half of the images were accompanied by instructions to process sensory features, and the remaining half to process the conceptual characteristics of the images. Two days later, all participants returned for a surprise free recall memory test. The interaction of progesterone and mental imagery strength significantly predicted recall of visually processed, but not verbally processed, negative images. These data suggest that mental imagery strength may be one mechanism underlying the documented association between endogenous progesterone and enhanced emotional memory performance in the literature.

Population-based case–control study of cognitive function in early Parkinson's disease (NEDICES)

BackgroundPopulation-based assessments of cognitive function in patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD) are rare. We examined whether patients with early PD have cognitive deficits when compared with matched controls MethodsAll participants were age 65years or older (median=76years) and were enrolled in the Neurological Disorders in Central Spain (NEDICES) study in central Spain. We identified all participants with early PD (<5years duration) (N=46). These were matched to 138 controls. Neuropsychological test scores were compared in PD patients vs. controls. In logistic regression models, we adjusted for the effects of confounding variables. In these models, the dependent variable was the neuropsychological test score (lowest quartile vs. all other quartiles) and the independent variable was PD vs. control. ResultsSixteen of 46 patients (34.8%) with early PD were previously undiagnosed. Subjective memory complaint was present in 27 (58.7%) PD patients vs. 51 (37.0%) controls (p=0.010). In logistic regression models that adjusted for gender, education, and depressive symptoms or antidepressant use, PD patients performed less well on the 37-item version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (p=0.04), animal (p<0.001) and fruit fluency (p=0.04) as well as in a delayed free recall memory test (p=0.04) than controls. ConclusionsIn this population-based sample of older patients with early PD, the rate of subjective and object cognitive impairment was appreciable. Patients with PD of less than five years duration performed relatively poorly on tests of global cognition, verbal fluency and memory. Clinicians should be vigilant to these cognitive difficulties even in the early stages of PD.

Effects of acute exercise on executive processing, short-term and long-term memory

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of a brief bout of exercise on executive function, short-term memory, and long-term memory tests. Eighteen young adults (mean age 22.2 years, s = 1.6) performed a set-switching test, a Brown-Peterson test, and a free-recall memory test before and after 40 min of moderate aerobic exercise on a cycle ergometer, and two control conditions. Exercise did not facilitate set switching or short-term memory, which suggests that exercise-induced arousal does not influence executive function processes involved in the reconfiguration of information in working memory. Exercise did alter specific aspects of delayed long-term memory. Free recall of items in the primacy and recency portions of the word list declined following the rest and non-exercise conditions, but was maintained after exercise, which suggests that exercise-induced arousal may facilitate the consolidation of information into long-term memory.

Rhinal-hippocampal theta coherence during declarative memory formation: interaction with gamma synchronization?

The hippocampus and the rhinal cortex, two substructures of the medial temporal lobe, together play a crucial role in human declarative memory formation. To investigate in detail the mechanism connecting these two structures transiently during memory formation we recorded depth EEG in epilepsy patients from within the hippocampus and the rhinal cortex. During this recording, patients performed a single-trial word list-learning paradigm with a free recall memory test following a distraction task. Rhinal-hippocampal EEG coherence and spectral power at both locations in the time interval up to 2 s after onset of word presentation were analysed in the frequency range 1-19 Hz. Successful as opposed to unsuccessful memory formation was associated with a general rhinal-hippocampal coherence enhancement, but without alterations in spectral power. Coherence increases in the theta range were correlated with the previously reported memory-related changes in rhinal-hippocampal gamma phase synchronization. This correlation may suggest an interaction of the two mechanisms during declarative memory formation. While theta coherence might be associated with slowly modulated coupling related to an encoding state, rhinal-hippocampal gamma synchronization may be more closely related to actual memory processes by enabling fast coupling and decoupling of the two structures.

Emotionally Arousing Pictures Increase Blood Glucose Levels and Enhance Recall

Arousal enhances memory in human participants and this enhancing effect is likely due to the release of peripheral epinephrine. As epinephrine does not readily enter the brain, one way that peripheral epinephrine may enhance memory is by increasing circulating blood glucose levels. The present study investigated the possibility that emotionally arousing color pictures would improve memory and elevate blood glucose levels in human participants. Blood glucose levels were measured before, 15 min, and 30 min after male university students viewed 60 emotionally arousing or relatively neutral pictures. Participants viewed each picture for 6 s and then had 10 s to rate the arousal (emotional intensity) and valence (pleasantness) of each picture. A free-recall memory test was given 30 min after the last picture was viewed. Although the emotionally arousing and neutral picture sets were given comparable valence ratings, participants who viewed the emotionally arousing pictures rated the pictures as being more arousing, recalled more pictures, and had higher blood glucose levels after viewing the pictures than did participants who viewed the neutral pictures. These findings indicate that emotionally arousing pictures increase blood glucose levels and enhance memory, and that this effect is not due to differences in the degree of pleasantness of the stimuli. These findings support the possibility that increases in circulating blood glucose levels in response to emotional arousal may be part of the biological mechanism that allows emotional arousal to enhance memory.

How information about the source influences noise annoyance

Annoyance following noise exposure can be considered to convey a ‘‘possible loss of fitness signal’’ (PLOF-signal), indicating that the individual’s Darwinian fitness decreases if she or he continues to stay in that situation. Especially, nonfamiliar conspecifics appearing in the habitat diminish fitness of the inhabitants because they are going to use the same but restricted resources. Therefore, sounds carrying the information that they are manmade are likely to evoke more annoyance than other sounds of equal level and spectral density. In an experiment, subjects were exposed to recorded sounds of ocean surf and party murmur. Both sounds were carefully equalized regarding spectral energy and overall level [Leq(A)=52 dB]. In the ‘‘manmade’’ sound condition, subjects felt significantly more annoyed and were significantly more impaired in a free recall memory test. However, physiological stress indices (potassium/sodium measured in saliva) did not discriminate significantly between the conditions. The results support the hypothesis that considered biologically, the main function of noise annoyance is to warn a person that fitness may diminish, but not to induce actual stress. This explains the frequently reported finding that noise, although annoying, causes only little or even no physiological stress reactions.

Aging, Attributions, Perceived Control, and Strategy Use in a Free Recall Task

A cross-sectional sample of adults answered two questionnaires regarding beliefs about memory, took a free recall memory test, and then answered two open-ended questions obtaining causal attributions for memory task performance. Adults of all ages most frequently attributed memory performance to internal skills (typically, strategies for learning and remembering), although older adults were more likely than younger adults to make internal-ability attributions. Self-reported strategies were classified into three ranked categories: (a) optimal (some form of relational processing), (b) marginal (e.g., rote rehearsal), or (c) none (e.g., nonspecific effort). Use of optimal strategies was positively related to recall performance and perceived control over memory for persons of all ages. Age differences in use of strategies were small and did not account for age differences in memory performance.

Risk Factors For Motor Vehicle Crashes Among Older Drivers in a Rural Community

To estimate the motor vehicle crash rate in a cohort of older drivers from a rural community and to identify health-related conditions that increase their risk for crash involvement. Cohort study with 5 years of crash-record surveillance. The Iowa 65+ Rural Health Study, one of four Established Populations for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE). A total of 1791 drivers aged 68 years and older. Exposure measures of physical, mental, and sensory well-being from a health interview survey; outcome measure of police-reported crashes maintained by the Iowa Department of Motor Vehicles. Between 1985 and 1989, 206 drivers were involved in 245 state-recorded crashes. The estimated annual crash involvement rate for these rural older drivers (28 per 1000 driving-years) was about 20% less than the national average for drivers aged 65 years and over (36 per 1,000). An increased risk for motor vehicle crashes was associated with episodes of back pain (Relative Risk = 1.4, P < .05), use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (RR = 1.7, P < .01), and poor performance on a free-recall memory test (RR = 1.4, P < .05). If these and other geriatric conditions are confirmed as risk factors for motor vehicle crashes, medical guidelines for license renewal may need updating and health professionals may need new instruments to detect older patients at high risk for unsafe driving.

Testing Imagery and Free Recall: Alternate Forms for Serial Assessment

Three alternate forms of a 100-item free-recall memory test were developed. Each form contained 50 readily visualized words and 50 words difficult to visualize. The performance of subjects retested weekly on the same test form was compared with the performance of subjects retested weekly using alternate forms. 32 undergraduate students were tested once with each form in a partially counterbalanced design. Another 12 students were tested three times using the same test form. The three test forms showed significant parallel-form reliability. The performance of people retested with the same form improved significantly more across sessions than was noted in groups given alternate forms. The importance of parallel forms in serial testing and implications for clinical assessment are discussed.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MILD ACUTE HYPOXIA

Performance on a free-recall memory test and a scanning task was assessed in subjects acutely exposed in a decompression chamber to simulated altitudes of 2,000 (PIO2≏139 mm Hg) and 12,000 feet (PIO2≏92 mm Hg). There was no evidence that the degree of hypoxia experienced at the higher altitude resulted in any impairment of psychological performance. The results are discussed in relation to previous reports in the literature that lesser degrees of hypoxia than that experienced at 12,000 feet may lead to specific psychological deficits.

Studies in creativity. V. The selection process in recall and in problem-solving situations.

The purpose of the experiment was to compare the ways learned material is utilized in memory and in problem situations. In contrast to earlier studies in this series (in which Ss were asked to memorize word pairs) Ss in this study were given single words, and no associative bonds were built up experimentally. Learning was measured by 3 free-recall memory tests, and problem solving by 2 creative stories. A qualitative analysis of the memory tests revealed that individuals tended to organize the words using content or first letters. A comparison of Repeated-pairs (pairs repeated in a story or used in 1 Memory test and a story) with Old-pairs (used in previous experiments) showed that the associations formed for recall, although weaker than those experimentally imposed, function in much the same way. An analysis of 2 Key Words (first two words on last Memory test) showed that Ss with wide differences in positioning of Key Words on the previous Memory checks did not differ in their positioning of the Key Words within the stories. It is concluded that Ss differ in how they store learned material (with no one method seeming to be superior) and in how stable their organization becomes. However, the posing of a problem seems to bypass the organization established for recall with Ss selecting from the entire bank of material. The problem, rather than the storage, seems to determine the usage of the material.