Nature of the effect of verbal labels on recognition memory for form.

Four separate sets of form stimuli varying in interval steps along a physically denned shape continuum were developed for use in the experiment. The continua extended from a familiar form (e.g., a duck) at one extreme to an unfamiliar form at the other extreme. The 5s were presented with the midpoint of one of the form continua, paired with the verbal label which was appropriate for the familiar end of that continuum (e.g., "duck"). The retention test, a single-stimulus recognition memory task employing the midpoint and all other variations from the selected form set, was given immediately, or after a delay of 5 min., 20 min., or 2 days. The introduction of temporal delay produced significant shifts in recognition memory gradients in the direction of the familiar form suggested by the verbal label. Verbal labels may have important effects on the storage stage of memory for form.