The effects of bilingual language proficiency on recall accuracy and semantic clustering in free recall output: evidence for shared semantic associations across languages

Using the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) paradigm, Huff and Bodner found that both item-specific and relational variants of a task improved correct recognition, but only the item-specific variants reduced false recognition, relative to a read-control condition. Here, we examined the outcome pattern when memory was tested using free recall, using the same item-specific versus relational task variants across three experiments as our previous study (processing instructions, pleasantness ratings, anagram generation). The outcome pattern in recall was similar to recognition, except relational processing at study actually reduced the DRM illusion, though not as much as item-specific processing. To reconcile this task difference, we suggest that the memory information laid down during relational encoding enhances the familiarity of the critical items at test. To the extent that familiarity is used less as a basis for responding in free recall than in recognition, relational processing ironically reduces rather than increases the DRM illusion in recall.

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Does the Morphological Structure of L1 Equivalents Influence the Processing of L2 Words? Evidence from Arabic-English Bilinguals

PSYCHOLINGUISTICS ◽

10.31470/2309-1797-2020-27-2-11-43 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 11-43

Author(s):

Dina Abdel Salam El-Dakhs ◽

Maram Al-Khodair ◽

Rawan Alwazzan ◽

Jeanette Altarriba

Keyword(s):

Free Recall ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

Language Processing ◽

Word Association ◽

Morphological Structure ◽

Morphological Processing ◽

Recall Task ◽

Facilitatory Effect ◽

Free Recall Task ◽

Association Task

Objective. The current study aims at investigating if the morphological structure of the first language (L1) equivalents affects the processing of second language (L2) words. Materials & Methods. To this end, 400 Arabic-English bilinguals of two levels of language proficiency completed a free recall task and a discrete word association task in their L2. The stimuli represented cases of lexical matches and mismatches. Results. The results of the free recall task showed a facilitation effect for lexical matching in one comparison for the participants with lower proficiency while lexical matching led to an inhibitory effect in two comparisons for the participants with higher proficiency. Additionally, the participants with higher proficiency generally recalled more words than the participants with lower proficiency, and recalled monomorphemic words significantly differently than multi-morphemic words in one comparison. As for the results of the word association task, they failed to reveal significance for word type or language proficiency when association strength was considered. Only when the number of associations was considered, a facilitatory effect for lexical matching was observed in one comparison among the participants with lower proficiency. Conclusions. The results generally support the claim that L2 learners exhibit sensitivity to the morphological structure of L1 words. The results also lend support to the interaction model of morphological processing and the bilingual lexicon models that highlight the influence of language proficiency on language processing.

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Semantic Clustering in Recall as a Function of Bilingual Language Proficiency

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e524912015-065 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Wendy S. Francis ◽

Randolph S. Taylor ◽

Renee M. Penalver ◽

Mary K. Liano

Keyword(s):

Language Proficiency ◽

Semantic Clustering

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Age-Related Deficits in Memory Encoding and Retrieval in Word List Free Recall

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci8120211 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 211 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dorina Cadar ◽

Marius Usher ◽

Eddy J. Davelaar

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Free Recall ◽

Word List ◽

Age Effect ◽

Age Effects ◽

Semantic Structure ◽

Memory Encoding ◽

Total Recall ◽

Semantic Clustering ◽

Age Related

Although ageing is known to affect memory, the precise nature of its effect on retrieval and encoding processes is not well understood. Here, we examine the effect of ageing on the free recall of word lists, in which the semantic structure of word sequences was manipulated from unrelated words to pairs of associated words with various separations (between pair members) within the sequence. We find that ageing is associated with reduced total recall, especially for sequences with associated words. Furthermore, we find that the degree of semantic clustering (controlled for chance clustering) shows an age effect and that it interacts with the distance between the words within a pair. The results are consistent with the view that age effects in memory are mediated both by retrieval and by encoding processes associated with frontal control and working memory.

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Organizational Changes in the Memory of Young Children

Perceptual and Motor Skills ◽

10.2466/pms.1978.46.3.735 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 735-742 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Joseph A. Wingard ◽

James P. Buchanan ◽

Angela Burnell

Keyword(s):

Free Recall ◽

Recall Task ◽

Developmental Changes ◽

Organizational Changes ◽

Organizational Strategies ◽

Color Category ◽

Semantic Clustering ◽

Semantic Categories ◽

Color Categories ◽

Item Presentation

A set of 25 pictures of common objects classifiable either perceptually on the basis of five color categories or semantically on the basis of five categories of meaning were presented in a recall task to 4- and 5-yr.-old children. In one condition the items were presented sequentially, and in a second condition they were viewed simultaneously. Following free recall, half of the subjects received memory prompts based on the color categories and half received prompts based on the semantic categories. Four-yr.-olds displayed more color category clustering in free recall than 5-yr.-olds, but remembered fewer items with and without the aid of memory prompts. Five-yr.-olds showed a trend toward greater semantic clustering than 4-yr.-olds. Finally, more semantic clustering was observed following sequential than simultaneous item presentation, and semantic memory prompts evoked greater recall than color prompts. Developmental changes in organizational strategies were discussed.

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Interpreting semantic clustering effects in free recall

Memory ◽

10.1080/09658211.2012.683010 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 20 (5) ◽

pp. 511-517 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Jeremy R. Manning ◽

Michael J. Kahana

Keyword(s):

Free Recall ◽

Semantic Clustering

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Temporal dynamics of free recall: The role of rehearsal efficiency in word frequency and bilingual language proficiency effects.

Journal of Experimental Psychology General ◽

10.1037/xge0000732 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 149 (8) ◽

pp. 1477-1508 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wendy S. Francis ◽

Marcela M. Arteaga ◽

Mary K. Liaño ◽

Randolph S. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Free Recall ◽

Word Frequency ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

Temporal Dynamics

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A-187 Is Once Enough? First Trial Performance on the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test in a Clinical Sample of Older Adults with Neurocognitive Disorders

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa068.187 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 982-982

Author(s):

Gettens K ◽

Daly M ◽

Chaudhry T ◽

Duncanson H ◽

Sherman J ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Free Recall ◽

Clinical Sample ◽

Neurocognitive Disorders ◽

Cued Recall ◽

Recall Accuracy ◽

Selective Reminding ◽

Selective Reminding Test ◽

Learning Trials ◽

Trial Performance

Abstract Objective There is urgent need for tools that quickly identify neurocognitive disorders (NCD). The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) has high sensitivity for detecting NCD severity (Mild vs. Major) and type (amnestic vs. non-amnestic). However, full administration of three learning trials makes it relatively lengthy. We examined whether first trial performance detects NCD type and severity. Method 187 patients (Mage = 74.7 ± 6.9, Medu = 16 ± 3.1; 58% male) were clinically evaluated. Diagnoses were Mild NCD—amnestic (N = 55), Mild NCD—non-amnestic (N = 67), Major NCD -amnestic (N = 23), and Major NCD –non-amnestic (N = 42). Free recall accuracy (FRA) [number freely recalled/16 *100] and cued recall accuracy (CRA) [(number of cues provided—number recalled with cues)/16 *100] were calculated for each of 3 learning trials. Results First trial performance predicted NCD severity (2 (2) = 7.84, p < .03) and type (2 (1) = 59.0, p < .001). First trial FRA predicted NCD severity (B = −3.29, p < .01). First trial FRA and CRA predicted NCD type (CRA better than FRA, (B = −4.54, p < .001). Third trial accuracy did not predict NCD severity [2 (2) = 5.75, p = .06). Third trial accuracy predicted NCD type [2 (2) = 56.6, p < .001]; third trial FRA performed similarly to first trial FRA. Conclusions Our results suggest that first trial FCSRT performance may be enough to screen for neurocognitive disorders. Findings identify free recall accuracy as a better predictor of type and cued recall accuracy a better predictor of NCD severity.

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