s13414-011-0120-z.pdf

The Nugget

  • Presenting a single image very briefly (about 100-200 ms) with a short interval (100 ms) between images maximizes memory efficiency, encoding information into long-term memory at a rate of approximately 1.4 objects per second.
  • Showing multiple images simultaneously or presenting images for prolonged durations decreases memory efficiency. An initial higher recall degrades similarly over a week across all presentation modes, suggesting stable long-term memory transfer for all conditions.

Make it stick

  • πŸ“· Single Image Efficiency: Showing one image at a time for 100-200 ms is most efficient.
  • 🀹 Parallel Processing Myth: Showing multiple images doesn’t boost memory, contradicting cost-free parallel processing theory.
  • πŸ•’ Stable Memory: After a week, memory retention aligns regardless of initial presentation time, showing long-term stability.
  • πŸ” Double Exposure Flaw: Repeatedly showing an image for shorter durations is less effective than a single prolonged viewing.

Key insights

Optimal Presentation Parameters

  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Single Image Presentation: Showing one image very briefly (100-200 ms) with an interstimulus interval (ISI) of around 100 ms boosts recall efficiency to about 1.4 objects per second.
  • ⏰ Fixed Encoding Rate: The rate of encoding into memory is relatively constant (1.4 objects per second) across varying presentation times and ISIs.

Parallel Processing Examination

  • πŸ“‰ Inefficiency with Multiple Images: Presenting multiple images at once results in decreased memory performance compared to single image presentations.
  • πŸ” Costly Parallel Processing: No evidence supports cost-free parallel processing. Performance declines significantly when multiple items are shown simultaneously.

Memory Representation and Detail

  • 🎨 Detail Extraction Over Time: Longer presentation times improve memory for detailed features, essential for distinguishing between highly similar "state" distractors.
  • πŸ› οΈ Impact of Distractor Type: Recognition performance drops significantly with highly similar distractors compared to random distractors, indicating visual and conceptual memory is crucial.

Stability of Memory Over Time

  • πŸ“ˆ Stable Long-term Retention: Performance decreases over one week for longer trial durations, aligning with short-duration trial performance. All initial memories exhibit long-term retention stability.
  • πŸ”„ Immediate vs. Delayed Testing: Introducing a minimal delay (a few minutes) before testing shows no significant impact on performance.

Double vs. Single Exposure

  • 🎞️ Single Prolonged Viewing: Better performance is associated with single but longer exposures (200 ms) compared to shorter, repeated exposures. Repeated short presentations (100 ms each) yield worse results.

Key quotes

  • "The rate of encoding into memory is fixed at about 1.4 objects per second."
  • "Presenting only one image at a time improves performance, indicating no cost-free parallel processing."
  • "With highly similar distractors, performance was much worse, suggesting more detail time extraction is necessary."
  • "Retest after a week showed stable memory performance irrespective of initial presentation mode, indicating a lasting long-term memory representation."
  • "Better performance is associated with longer single exposures rather than shorter repeated presentations."
This summary contains AI-generated information and may have important inaccuracies or omissions.