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The Contributions of Color to Recognition Memory for Natural Scenes

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Ted Sharpe

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Abstract

The authors used a recognition memory paradigm to assess the influence of color information on visual memory for images of natural scenes. Subjects performed 5%-10% better for colored than for black-and-white images independent of exposure duration. Experiment 2 indicated little influence of contrast once the images were suprathreshold, and Experiment 3 revealed that performance worsened when images were presented in color and tested in black and white, or vice versa, leading to the conclusion that the surface property color is part of the memory representation. Experiments 4 and 5 exclude the possibility that the superior recognition memory for colored images results solely from attentional factors or saliency. Finally, the recognition memory advantage disappears for falsely colored images of natural scenes: The improvement in recognition memory depends on the color congruence of presented images with learned knowledge about the color gamut found within natural scenes. The results can be accounted for within a multiple memory systems framework.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Wichmann FA, Sharpe LT, Gegenfurtner KR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning Memory and Cognition

Year: 2002

Volume: 28

Issue: 3

Pages: 509-520

ISSN (print): 0278-7393

ISSN (electronic): 1939-1285

Publisher: American Psychological Association

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037//0278-7393.28.3.509

DOI: 10.1037//0278-7393.28.3.509

PubMed id: 12018503

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