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Examining Relations Among The Three Levels of Narrative Memory Representation Using Retrieval Practice

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posted on 2022-02-07, 00:00 authored by Abigail Csik Doolen

Discourse is thought to be represented in memory at three levels: surface form, textbase, and event model. The current study tested the relation of the three levels in memory by manipulating the strength of each level using retrieval practice. Final recognition memory showed a testing effect for the surface form and event model levels, but not the textbase. In addition, surface form practice improved textbase memory and textbase practice improved event model memory. However, event model practice impaired textbase memory. Thus, there is a mix of facilitative and competitive relations among the three levels. A Cognitive Efficiency Theory is proposed to account for the findings, reasoning that people access the level of memory that is the strongest (i.e., the event model level). Future work is recommended to test this theory and examine the dynamic relations of these levels under different circumstances and retention intervals. Understanding the relation of these levels is essential for experimental studies of memory involving narratives as well as applied settings including education and eyewitness testimony. Moreover, this approach has implications for event cognition beyond just narratives because this general approach could be extended to our understanding of other events, including those experienced in film and autobiographically.

History

Date Modified

2022-03-08

Defense Date

2021-12-14

CIP Code

  • 42.2799

Research Director(s)

Gabriel A. Radvansky

Committee Members

James Brockmole Joshua Koen Nicole McNeil

Degree

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Degree Level

  • Doctoral Dissertation

Alternate Identifier

1302194696

Library Record

6173302

OCLC Number

1302194696

Program Name

  • Psychology, Research and Experimental

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