Learning Complex Visual Stimuli: Effects of Spaced Presentation and Rehearsal on Aircraft Recognition

Abstract

This study examined the effects of three presentation methods (one massed and two distributed) and two visual rehearsal conditions (rehearsal allowed and not allowed) on recognition of complex visual stimuli. The stimuli, photographs of military aircraft, were tested using a different view than the three views given at study. Recognition performance was measured by hit, false alarm, and discrimination indices to assess differences among the presentation and rehearsal conditions. A substantial effect of rehearsal was found. Allowing intervals for, and encouraging, postexposure imaging increased hit and discrimination scores compared to conditions where postexposure imaging w a prevented. No significant effect of presentation method or interaction with rehearsal was noted. Exploratory analyses suggested that a study strategy involving attention to individual features to be associated with higher recognition performance. Empirical, theoretical, and applied implications of the study are discussed, and suggestions for further research are described.