Picturing survival memories: Enhanced memory after fitness-relevant processing occurs for verbal and visual stimuli

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that processing words according to a survival scenario leads to superior retention relative to control conditions. Here, we examined whether a survival recall advantage could be elicited by using pictures. Furthermore, in Experiment 1, we were interested in whether survival processing also results in improved memory for details. Undergraduates rated the relevance of pictures in a survival, moving, or pleasantness scenario and were subsequently given a surprise free recall test. We found that survival processing yielded superior retention. We also found that distortions occurred more often in the survival condition than in the pleasantness condition. In Experiment 2, we directly compared the survival recall effect between pictures and words. A comparable survival recall advantage was found for pictures and words. The present findings support the idea that memory is enhanced by processing information in terms of fitness value, yet at the same time, the present results suggest that this may increase the risk for memory distortions.

Adaptive memory: fitness relevant stimuli show a memory advantage in a game of pelmanism

“…Although identifying cognitive adaptations is notoriously difficult, it is possible to hypothesise within an evolutionary framework (see, e.g., Klein, Cosmides, Tooby, & Chance, 2002). Accordingly, a growing number of researchers are approaching memory in this way (see Kang, McDermott, & Cohen, 2008;Otgaar, Smeets, & van Bergen, 2010;Weinstein, Bugg, & Roediger, 2008), and the results seem to be consistent with the notion that memory does, at least to some degree, differentially deal with information that is processed according to a survival scenario, as compared to when information is processed in other ways.…”

The temporal orientation of memory: It's time for a change of direction.

“…For example, Nairne's (2005Nairne's ( , 2010 advocacy of memory as a system evolved to enhance survival (clearly a future-oriented enterprise; e.g., Klein et al, 2011) has resulted in a highly active program of research exploring the effects of encoding conditions (survival versus non-survival) on measures of retention (e.g., Burns, Hwang, & Burns, 2011;Butler, Kang, & Roediger, 2009;Kang, McDermott, & Cohen, 2008;Klein, 2012;Klein, Lax, et al, 2010;Klein, Robertson, et al, 2010, Klein et al, 2011Kroneisen & Erdfelder, 2011;Nairne & Pandeirada, 2008;Nairne, Pandeirada, Gregory, & Van Arsdall, 2009;Otgaar, Smeets, & van Bergen, 2010;Soderstorm & McCabe, 2011;Weinstein, Bugg, & Roediger, 2008; for recent reviews, see Howe & Otgaar, 2013;Klein, in press). Another approach to memory that emphasizes its futureoriented aspects is that of memory in its prospective capacities (for review, see Brandimonte, Einstein, & McDaniel, 1996).…”

Fit to last: Exploring the longevity of the survival processing effect

“…A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t Despite this increased popularity, the majority of the survival processing literature has focused on the recall of lists of words, with memory for others types of stimuli receiving little attention (for exceptions see Otgaar, Smeets & van Bergen, 2010;Nairne et al, 2012).…”