The Effect of Integration on Recall of Counterintuitive Stories

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 57-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Jason Slone ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
Ontological Category ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Memory Advantage ◽  
Cognitive Foundations ◽  
Integrated Or ◽  
Counterintuitive Concepts ◽  
Better Than

AbstractResearch on the cognitive foundations of cultural transmission has recently demonstrated that concepts which minimally violate one domain-specific ontological category expectation, or "minimally counterintuitive" concepts (MCI), are better recalled, all else being equal, than "intuitive" concepts (INT), which do not violate domain-specific ontological expectations. In addition, memory for MCI concepts is better than memory for "maximally counterintuitive concepts" (MXCI), or concepts which violate more than one domain-specifi c ontological expectation. Thus, MCI items appear to enjoy a memory advantage, although these effects are heavily affected by context. The present experiment was designed to investigate the influence of integration on the MCI effect. Participants memorized a series of stories that were either intuitive (INT), minimally counterintuitive (MCI), or maximally counterintuitive (MXCI). In addition, the stories were either causally integrated or not. Cued recall results suggested that integration of a story is a significant factor influencing memory performance. We argue that these results are complimentary to the MCI hypothesis.

The Mnemonic of Intuitive Ontology Violation is not the Distinctiveness Effect: Evidence from a Broad Age Spectrum of Persons in the uk and China during a Free-Recall Task

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 169-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin P. Gregory ◽  
Tyler S. Greenway
Keyword(s):  
Free Recall ◽  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Recall Task ◽  
Ontological Category ◽  
Alternative Account ◽  
Free Recall Task ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Counterintuitive Concepts ◽  
Distinctiveness Effect

The typical formulation of Pascal Boyer’s counterintuitiveness theory asserts that concepts violating intuitive ontological-category structures are more memorable. However, Boyer’s (2001) original claim centred on the transmission advantages of counter-ontological representations that were cultural. Nevertheless, subsequent studies focused on the recall of novel counterintuitive representations, and an “alternative account” of the memorability of counterintuitive concepts has emerged resembling the distinctiveness effect. Yet, experimental evidence shows that familiar concepts have memorability advantages over novel ones. This investigation of these pan-cultural transmission biases used a large age-representative sample (13–86 years; N = 365) in the uk and China. Results were analysed by hlm, with familiarity, counterintuitiveness, and delay as 2-level fixed factors, and age as a covariate. No support was revealed for the typical formulation of the hypothesis — however, a significant age effect and interaction of familiarity × counterintuitiveness were found.

Imagery Effects on Recall of Minimally Counterintuitive Concepts

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 355-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Gonce ◽  
Afzal Upal ◽  
Kristin Edwards ◽  
Ryan Tweney ◽  
D. Jason Slone
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Natural Kinds ◽  
Recall Task ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Counterintuitive Concepts ◽  
Better Than

AbstractMuch experimental evidence shows that minimally counterintuitive concepts, which violate one intuitive ontological expectation of domain-specific natural kinds, are remembered as well as or better than intuitive concepts with no violations of ontological expectations, and much better than maximally counterintuitive concepts with more than one violation of ontological violations (Barrett and Nyhoff, 2001; Boyer and Ramble, 2001; Atran and Norenzayan, 2004; Gonce et al., 2006). It is also well established that concepts rated as high in imagery, (e.g., apple) are recalled better than concepts that are low in imagery (e.g., justice; see Paivio, 1990). We conducted three studies to test whether imagery levels affected recall rates of intuitive, minimally counterintuitive, and maximally counterintuitive concepts. In study 1, we obtained imagery level ratings for 48 three-word items. In study 2, we used the ratings obtained in study 1 in a 2 × 3 recall task in which imagery (high vs. low) was manipulated along with counterintutiveness (intuitive vs. minimally counterintuitive vs. maximally counterintuitive). High imagery items were recalled significantly better than low imagery items for intuitive and maximally counterintuitive items but not for minimally counterintuitive items. Study 3, replicated the findings from study 2 in a 2 × 2 study using a larger number of intuitive and minimally counterintuitive items. In both studies, High imagery items were recalled significantly better than low imagery items for intuitive but not for minimally counterintuitive items. Thus, minimally counterintuitive concepts appear insulated from imagery effects on recall.

The Mnemonic of Intuitive Ontology Violation is Not the Distinctiveness Effect: Evidence From a Broad Age Spectrum of Persons in the uk and China During a Free-Recall Task

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 253-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin P. Gregory ◽  
Tyler S. Greenway
Keyword(s):  
Free Recall ◽  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Age Effect ◽  
Recall Task ◽  
Ontological Category ◽  
Alternative Account ◽  
Free Recall Task ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Counterintuitive Concepts ◽  
Distinctiveness Effect

Abstract The typical formulation of Pascal Boyer’s counterintuitiveness theory asserts that concepts violating intuitive ontological-category structures are more memorable. However, Boyer’s (2001) original claim centered on the transmission advantages of counter-ontological representations that were cultural. Nevertheless, subsequent studies focused on the recall of novel counterintuitive representations, and an “alternative account” of the memorability of counterintuitive concepts has emerged resembling the distinctiveness effect (Upal, 2010). Yet, experimental evidence shows that familiar concepts have memorability advantages over novel ones (Anaki & Bentin, 2009; Ingram, Mickes, & Wixted, 2011). This investigation of these pan-cultural transmission biases used a large age-representative sample (13–86 years; N = 365) in the uk and China. Results were analyzed by hlm, with familiarity, counterintuitiveness, and delay as 2-level fixed factors, and age as a covariate. No support was revealed for the typical formulation of the hypothesis — however, a significant age effect and interaction of familiarity x counterintuitiveness were found.

scholarly journals Neuropsychological Differences Related to Age in Dementia with Lewy Bodies

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasuhiro Nagahama ◽  
Tomoko Okina ◽  
Norio Suzuki
Keyword(s):  
Old Age ◽  
Memory Impairment ◽  
Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽  
Memory Performance ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Lewy Bodies ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Recent Memory ◽  
Better Than

Background/Aims: To examine the influence of age on neuropsychological performances in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Methods: We examined memory, executive, and visuo-constructional performances in 202 DLB patients and 236 AD patients. We divided the subjects into three age groups (65–74, 75–84, and 85–95 years old), and evaluated the differences in neuropsychological performances. Results: Recent memory in the DLB group was significantly better than that in the age-matched AD group when comparing the age groups 65–74 years and 75–84 years; however, memory impairment in the DLB patients in the age group 85–95 years was comparable with that in the age-matched AD patients. In contrast to recent memory, the other assessed neuropsychological performances, such as visuospatial and executive functions, showed no significant change in differences between the DLB and AD groups with advancing age. Conclusion: Our study revealed that the nature of memory impairment in DLB patients changes according to age. DLB patients in the young-old and old-old age groups showed significantly better memory performance than the age-matched AD patients, whereas memory performance of the DLB patients in the oldest-old age group was similar to that of the age-matched AD patients. This may be associated with the increased rate of coexisting AD pathology in DLB patients with older age.

scholarly journals Developing Deep Understanding and Literacy while Addressing a Gender-Based Literacy Gap

2010 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanqing Sun ◽  
Jianwei Zhang ◽  
Marlene Scardamalia
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
Classroom Discourse ◽  
Knowledge Building ◽  
Deep Understanding ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Literacy Gap ◽  
Grade Levels ◽  
Vocabulary Growth ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Better Than

Online discourse from a class of 22 students (11 boys and 11 girls) was analysed to assess advances in conceptual understanding and literacy. The students worked over a two-year period (Grades 3-4), during which they contributed notes to an online Knowledge Building environment—Knowledge Forum®. Contributions revealed that both boys and girls produced a substantial amount of text and graphics, and that their written texts incorporated an increasing proportion of less-frequent, advanced words, including academic vocabulary and domain-specific words from grade levels higher than their own. Brief accounts of classroom discourse indicate how deep understanding and vocabulary growth mutually support each other in online and offline exchanges. The gender differences that were observed show boys doing slightly better than girls, suggesting that Knowledge Building has the potential to help boys overcome weaknesses in literacy.

Kinderliteratuur als Knooppunt

1998 ◽  
Vol 59 ◽  
pp. 57-65
Author(s):  
Marianne Hermans
Keyword(s):  
Reading Skills ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Schema Theory ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
Stepping Stones ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
New Information ◽  
Post Hoc ◽  
Better Than

The results of the pilot study reported on in this article indicate that the combination of children's books supplementary to the biology lessons does not diminish reading-achieve-ment test scores, and that there seems to be an advantage in domain-specific word knowledge. For 14 weeks, the time normally spent on unsustained silent reading in class was filled in by reading on particular subjects that were being discussed in biology lessons. The basic research assumption was that reading various texts on the same subject would not only positively affect the children's knowledge about this subject but would also improve their reading skills and their attitudes towards reading. The experimental group scored significandy better than their peer group on a domain-specific vocabulary test. This indicates that the books were used as stepping stones for building mental knowledge structures. Tests with respect to the other variables such as reading skills yielded no significant differences between the groups. However, post-hoc analysis showed an advantage for pupils from the lower social groups. Their attitude towards reading impro-ved considerably, in which respect they differed significandy from their peers. The results seem to confirm the ideas expressed in the international literature about content area reading and in aspects of schema theory. By reading the books in combination with the biology lessons, certain schemata could be activated which enable the pupils better to understand the new information and store it firmly in their memory. The redundancy of important words appearing in various contexts is a determinant of word knowledge.

Changes across Age Groups in Self-Choice Elaboration and Incidental Memory

2003 ◽  
Vol 96 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Toyota ◽  
Tomoko Tatsumi
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Sixth Graders ◽  
Second Graders ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
The Self ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Elaboration Condition ◽  
Incidental Memory ◽  
Better Than

This study investigated differences in the self-choice elaboration and an experimenter-provided elaboration on incidental memory of 7- to 12-yr.-olds. In a self-choice elaboration condition 34 second and 25 sixth graders were asked to choose one of the two sentence frames into which each target could fit more congruously, whereas in an experimenter-provided elaboration they were asked to judge the congruity of each target to each frame. In free recall, sixth graders recalled targets in bizarre sentence frames better than second graders for self-choice elaboration condition. An age difference was not found for the experimenter-provided elaboration. In cued recall self-choice elaboration led to better performance of sixth graders for recalling targets than an experimenter-provided elaboration in both bizarre and common sentence frames. However, the different types of elaboration did not alter the recall of second graders. These results were interpreted as showing that the effectiveness of a self-choice elaboration depends on the subjects' age and the type of sentence.

The Influence of the Nature of Material and of Mental Operations on the Occurrence of the Bizarreness Effect

1988 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cesare Cornoldi ◽  
Adele Cavedon ◽  
Rossana De Beni ◽  
Alvaro Pra Baldi
Keyword(s):  
Free Recall ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
Bizarreness Effect ◽  
Memory Advantage ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Common Items ◽  
Generation Procedure

In the literature, a memory advantage for bizarre items over common ones has been found only in a few studies, especially with materials prepared ad hoc by the experimenter and with free recall rather than cued recall tests. These results contrast with the widespread conviction that bizarreness helps recall. The present paper explores the role of some variables involved in the “bizarreness” effect: (1) It examines the typical self-generation procedure in which the subject is asked to create an interaction between a pair of nouns, as well as the case in which only one noun is given. Higher freedom in generating sentences appears to correspond to higher free recall of bizarre items. (2) It is shown that bizarre items must be distinguished from “unusual” ones, which have different effects on memory. (3) By contrasting groups instructed to use either imagery or verbal elaboration, it is shown that the bizarreness effect is linked to the use of imagery. Instructions to use imagery without the possibility of creating bizarre representations do not improve the recall of common items. (4) The classification of parts of sentences generated reveals that, under common instructions, one subject's choice of verb and noun is more likely to be shared by other subjects. This fact may explain the different effects found by previous research in cued and free recall. (5) The overestimation of the recallability of bizarre items appears less evident than in previous research, probably because subjects had direct experience of the difficulties met in generating bizarre images.

scholarly journals The human socio-cognitive niche and its evolutionary origins

2012 ◽  
Vol 367 (1599) ◽  
pp. 2119-2129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Whiten ◽  
David Erdal
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Transmission ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Foraging Strategy ◽  
Primate Research ◽  
Cognitive Niche ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
Hominin Evolution ◽  
Core Components ◽  
Anatomical Adaptations ◽  
Cognitive Foundations

Hominin evolution took a remarkable pathway, as the foraging strategy extended to large mammalian prey already hunted by a guild of specialist carnivores. How was this possible for a moderately sized ape lacking the formidable anatomical adaptations of these competing ‘professional hunters’? The long-standing answer that this was achieved through the elaboration of a new ‘cognitive niche’ reliant on intelligence and technology is compelling, yet insufficient. Here we present evidence from a diversity of sources supporting the hypothesis that a fuller answer lies in the evolution of a new socio-cognitive niche , the principal components of which include forms of cooperation, egalitarianism, mindreading (also known as ‘theory of mind’), language and cultural transmission, that go far beyond the most comparable phenomena in other primates. This cognitive and behavioural complex allows a human hunter–gatherer band to function as a unique and highly competitive predatory organism. Each of these core components of the socio-cognitive niche is distinctive to humans, but primate research has increasingly identified related capacities that permit inferences about significant ancestral cognitive foundations to the five pillars of the human social cognitive niche listed earlier. The principal focus of the present study was to review and integrate this range of recent comparative discoveries.

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