The Effects of Verbal Labelling on Recognition Memory for Schematic Faces

Four experiments investigated the effects of labelling on the encoding and recognition of schematic faces. In Experiments I and II, hard-to-label (H) faces were recognized better after labelling than after observing, whereas easy-to-label (E) faces were not significantly affected. However, E faces were recognized better after labelling when subjects were instructed to attend carefully to all features of the faces during viewing. In Experiments III and IV, which dealt with each kind of face separately, both E and H faces were recognized better after labelling than after observing. An additional improvement in recognition all of faces was found when labelling subjects knew which label was relevant on each recognition trial and were instructed to use it. It was concluded that (a) a verbal label functions mainly to direct attention to specific facial features during viewing, (b)the effect of the label on recognition is positive or negative depending on whether or not it directs attention to features which are functional for the recognition test, (c) the label also forms part of the representation of the face in memory, and (d) a label may serve as a mediator at the time of testing, but only in the presence of specific cues.

[1]  David Noton,et al.  A Theory of Visual Pattern Perception , 1970, IEEE Trans. Syst. Sci. Cybern..

[2]  Stuart J. Mckelviet.  The meaningfulness and meaning of schematic faces , 1973 .

[3]  C I HOVLAND,et al.  The effect of verbalization during observation of stimulus objects upon accuracy of recognition and recall. , 1953, Journal of experimental psychology.

[4]  B. J. Winer.  Statistical Principles in Experimental Design , 1992 .

[5]  R. L. Cohen.  EFFECT OF VERBAL LABELS ON RECALL OF A VISUALLY PERCEIVED SIMPLE FIGURE: RECOGNITION VS REPRODUCTION , 1966 .

[6]  A. Paivio.  Imagery and verbal processes , 1972 .

[7]  Walter Kintsch,et al.  11 – Models for Free Recall and Recognition1 , 1970 .

[8]  N. Miller,et al.  Social Learning and Imitation , 1942 .

[9]  Irvin Rock,et al.  The perception and recognition of complex figures , 1972 .

[10]  G. Davies.  Recognition memory for pictured and named objects , 1969 .

[11]  R. H. Price,et al.  Verbal processes in shape recognition. , 1970, Journal of experimental psychology.

[12]  H. Ellis,et al.  Verbal processes in long-term stimulus-recognition memory , 1971 .

[13]  A. G. Goldstein,et al.  Visual recognition memory for complex configurations , 1971 .

[14]  J. Gibson,et al.  Perceptual learning; differentiation or enrichment? , 1955, Psychological review.

[15]  W. Kintsch.  Learning, memory, and conceptual processes , 1970 .

[16]  L. Stark,et al.  Scanpaths in Eye Movements during Pattern Perception , 1971, Science.

[17]  G. Davies,et al.  On the Significance of “Double Encoding” for the Superior Recall of Pictures to Names , 1973 .

[18]  R. L. Cohen.  Interaction between a Visually Perceived Simple Figure and an Appropriate Verbal Label in Recall , 1967 .

[19]  H. Ellis,et al.  Transfer of stimulus predifferentiation to shape recognition and identification learning: role of properties of verbal labels. , 1968, Journal of experimental psychology.

[20]  D. Norman.  Toward a theory of memory and attention. , 1968 .

[21]  E. Tulving,et al.  Retrieval processes in recognition memory: Effects of associative context , 1971 .

[22]  G. Loftus.  Eye fixations and recognition memory for pictures , 1972 .

[23]  J L Santa,et al.  Effects of verbal coding on recognition memory. , 1972, Journal of experimental psychology.

[24]  B. Murdock.  Modality effects in short-term memory: storage or retrieval? , 1968, Journal of experimental psychology.

[25]  D. Donderi,et al.  Association learning and visual discrimination , 1973 .

[26]  H. P. Bahrick,et al.  Retention of visual and verbal codes of the same stimuli. , 1968, Journal of experimental psychology.

[27]  R. L. Feuge,et al.  Generalization gradients in recognition memory of visual form: The role of stimulus meaning , 1969 .

[28]  G. Davies.  The Influence of Verbal Labelling on the Retention of Picture Stimuli: An Alternative Viewpoint , 1971 .

[29]  T. Daniel,et al.  Nature of the effect of verbal labels on recognition memory for form. , 1972, Journal of experimental psychology.

[30]  John R. Anderson,et al.  RECOGNITION AND RETRIEVAL PROCESSES IN FREE RECALL , 1972 .

[31]  H. Ellis,et al.  Stimulus codability and long-term recognition memory for visual form. , 1972, Journal of experimental psychology.