Larger images are better remembered during naturalistic encoding

Abstract

We are constantly exposed to multiple visual scenes, and while freely viewing them without an intentional effort to memorize or encode them, only some are remembered. It has been suggested that image memory is influenced by multiple factors, such as depth of processing, familiarity, and visual category. However, this is typically investigated when people are instructed to perform a task (e.g., remember or make some judgment about the images), which may modulate processing at multiple levels and thus, may not generalize to naturalistic visual behavior. Visual memory is assumed to rely on high-level visual perception that shows a level of size invariance and therefore is not assumed to be highly dependent on image size. Here, we reasoned that during naturalistic vision, free of task-related modulations, bigger images stimulate more visual system processing resources (from retina to cortex) and would, therefore, be better remembered. In an extensive set of seven experiments, naïve participants (n = 182) were asked to freely view presented images (sized 3° to 24°) without any instructed encoding task. Afterward, they were given a surprise recognition test (midsized images, 50% already seen). Larger images were remembered better than smaller ones across all experiments (∼20% higher accuracy or ∼1.5 times better). Memory was proportional to image size, faces were better remembered, and outdoors the least. Results were robust even when controlling for image set, presentation order, screen resolution, image scaling at test, or the amount of information. While multiple factors affect image memory, our results suggest that low- to high-level processes may all contribute to image memory.

Positive and negative facial valence perception are modulated differently by eccentricity in the parafovea

“…Here we found that face valence performance in the parafovea (4) was reduced to a greater extent with ~20% on average in the blocked-design experiment and ~27% on average in the single trial experiment. It has been suggested that cortical magnification factor 15,27 may account for reductions in performance in peripheral vision [24][25][26]28 . In line with the idea that cortical magnification contributes to peripheral performance reductions, an earlier study using bigger face stimuli (~15) found that peripheral performance for larger eccentricities (15-30) decreased with eccentricity but was overall much higher than in our study (87%-95%) 9 .…”

“…The experimental session started with visual acuity [14][15][16] measurements using a logMAR chart (measurements are available for 54 of the 56 participants). This was followed by a short training session with an identical setup and conditions as that of the main experimental task (ending when reaching >= 75% accuracy; images different than those used in the main experiment were used in the training).…”

VocabulARy: Learning Vocabulary in AR Supported by Keyword Visualisations

“…A recent study also revealed that the size of images affects our ability to remember image content during naturalistic exploration [37]. Although our study did not involve naturalistic exploration, it clearly steered participants' attention, and we made extra care that both AR and NON-AR showed comparable imagery, it would still be interesting to explore if the size of imagery has an effect on the ability to memorise vocabulary words.…”

“…Careful consideration was given to the selection of annotation and visualisation size. Previous research showed the size of images affects our ability to remember image content during naturalistic exploration [37]. However in such exploration individuals are first asked to freely explore an image without any instructions and are then asked about the details observed.…”

VocabulARy: Learning Vocabulary in AR Supported by Keyword Visualisations

“…Careful consideration was given to the selection of annotation and visualisation size. Previous research showed the size of images affects our ability to remember image content during naturalistic exploration [38]. However in such exploration individuals are first asked to freely explore an image without any instructions and are then asked about the details observed.…”