Cognitive Control in Recall of Similar Visual Designs Vs Nonsimilar Thematic Materials

Abstract

3 experiments were performed to clarify the relationship of two principles of cognitive control to the recall of different types of stimulus material. Exp. I shows that there is little or no relationship between leveling-sharpening and recall of thematic material and no relationship to recall of sequentially presented, highly similar designs. Exps. II and III show that, as predicted, field-articulation or field-dependence is related to the recall of similar visual designs but not to the recall of thematic material.

The role of individual differences in field dependence as a factor in learning and memory.

“…When -15presented with a list of items and told that they will be required later to recall as many as possible in any order, many subjects tend to categorize the items. While a few studies support the hypothesis that field-independent subjects are superior at free recall, the vast majority do not (Beische1, 1973;Brown, 1964;Gardner & Long, 1961;Goodenough & Karp, 1961;Imam, 1973;Kazelskis, 1970;Lezotte, 1969;Lohrenz & Gardner, 1973;McKenna, 1967;Meshorer, 1969;Powell, Goodwin, & Bremer, 1973;Roy, 1970;Shapiro, 1970;Uhlmann, 1962;Uhlmann & Saltz, 1965;Vernon, 1965aVernon, , 1965bVernon, , 1967Weiss, 1970;. It is easy to suppose that fieldindependent subjects would show more effective organization of the items which would permit more effective free recall (Meshorer, 1969).…”

“…It is easy to suppose that field-independent subjects would show more effective organization of the items, which would permit more effective free recall (Meshorer, 1969). While a few studies support the hypothesis that field-independent subjects are superior at free recall, the vast majority do not (Beischel, 1973;Brown, 1964;Gardner & Long, 1961;Goodenough & Karp, 1961;Imam, 1973;Lezotte, 1969;Lohrenz & Gardner, 1973;McKenna, 1967;Meshorer, 1969;Powell, Goodwin, & Bremer, 1973;Roy, 1970;Shapiro, 1970;Uhlmann, 1962;Uhlmann & Saltz, 196S;Vernon, 1965aVernon, , 1965bVernon, , 1967Weiss, 1970;Witkin et al, 1962.…”