A new experimental paradigm for an old problem: Does our memory retrieve distant analogs or superficial matches more easily?
Abstract
Traditional laboratory studies show that memory items from long-term memory that share isolated entities and actions with working memory items (surface matches) are more easily retrieved than those that share only a system of abstract relations (distant analogues). More recent naturalistic studies show, however, exactly opposite results. In this work we seek to resolve this paradox through a paradigm that combines the ecological validity of naturalistic studies with the methodological control of experimental ones. We presented participants with a story that maintained superficial similarities to one popular film and structural similarities to another one. Through this method we retained from the naturalistic approach the inclusion of deeply processed base analogues, as well as the contextual and temporal separation between the learning phase and the retrieval phase. At the same time, we retain from the laboratory approach the equiprobability of retrieving distant analogues and superficial matches, as well as the possibility of distinguishing between retrieved analogues and invented ones. The results showed that superficial matches are retrieved to a much greater extent than distant analogues, suggesting that our memory does not fit an ideal information search design.
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References
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