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Individual differences in visual imagery determine how event information is remembered

DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2016.1178777
Sheldon, S., Amaral, R., & Levine, B. (2017). Individual differences in visual imagery determine how event information is remembered. Memory, 25(3), 360–369. doi:10.1080/09658211.2016.1178777

Abstract

Individuals differ in how they mentally imagine past events. When reminiscing about a past experience, some individuals remember the event accompanied by rich visual images, while others will remember it with few of these images. In spite of the implications that these differences in the use of imagery have to the understanding of human memory, few studies have taken them into consideration. We examined how imagery interference affecting event memory retrieval was differently modulated by spatial and object imagery ability. We presented participants with a series of video-clips depicting complex events. Participants subsequently answered true/false questions related to event, spatial, or feature details contained in the videos, while simultaneously viewing stimuli that interfered with visual imagery processes (dynamic visual noise; DVN) or a control grey screen. The impact of DVN on memory accuracy was related to individual differences in spatial imagery ability. Individuals high in spatial imagery were less accurate at recalling details from the videos when simultaneously viewing the DVN stimuli compared to those low in spatial imagery ability. This finding held for questions related to the event and spatial details but not feature details. This study advocates for the inclusion of individual differences when studying memory processes.

Authors

  • Signy Sheldon2
  • Robert Amaral1
  • Brian Levine5

Understanding How We Remember: The Role of Visual Imagery

Overview/Introduction

Have you ever noticed how some people can vividly recall past events with detailed mental images, while others remember the same events with fewer visual details? This difference in how we use mental imagery can significantly affect our memory. A recent study explored how individual differences in visual imagery, particularly spatial imagery, influence our ability to remember complex events.

Methodology

The researchers conducted an experiment involving 37 young adults. Participants watched a series of short video clips depicting everyday scenarios, such as shopping or entering a café. After watching each video, they answered true/false questions about the events, spatial details, and features shown in the clips. During this task, participants were exposed to either a distracting visual pattern called dynamic visual noise (DVN) or a neutral grey screen. The study aimed to see how these distractions affected memory accuracy, especially in relation to the participants' spatial and object imagery abilities.

Key Findings

  • Spatial Imagery Impact: The study found that individuals with high spatial imagery ability were more affected by the DVN when recalling event and spatial details. This means they were less accurate in their memory when distracted by the DVN compared to those with lower spatial imagery ability.
  • Event and Spatial Details: The interference from DVN was significant for questions about the events and where things were located but did not affect memory for specific object features like color or shape.
  • Imagery Abilities: The study highlighted the importance of considering individual differences in imagery abilities when studying memory processes.

Implications

This research suggests that people with strong spatial imagery skills might rely more on visual mental images when recalling past events. This reliance can make them more susceptible to visual distractions, which could affect their memory accuracy. Understanding these individual differences can help in developing personalized strategies for improving memory and learning, particularly in educational settings or for individuals with memory impairments.

Limitations

The study had a couple of limitations:
  • Eye Movement Monitoring: The researchers did not track participants' eye movements during the experiment, which could have provided more insight into how visual attention was distributed.
  • Experimental Design: The use of a recognition memory test might not fully capture how imagery affects real-world memory, as it differs from natural memory recall processes.
In conclusion, this study sheds light on how our unique visual imagery abilities can shape the way we remember past events, emphasizing the need to consider these differences in both research and practical applications.