Recognition memory for faces and scenes.
Previous studies have suggested that face memory is unique; however, evidence is inconclusive. To further explore this issue, we investigated recognition memory for unfamiliar faces and scenes. Participants (n = 123) intentionally memorized the stimuli and then engaged in recognition tests. Recognition was measured following short (20 minutes) and long (3 weeks) retention intervals. Encoding strategies and intelligence were also measured. Recognition memory performance for faces was higher than that for scenes at both short and long intervals; however, the effect of retention interval was different between faces and scenes. A relationship between encoding strategies and memory performance was found for scenes but not for faces. The relationship between intelligence and memory performance also differed between faces and scenes. These results suggest that memory for faces is more robust and uses different cognitive mechanisms than memory for scenes.
['Sato|Wataru|W|', 'Yoshikawa|Sakiko|S|']
D004777:Environment D005145:Face D005260:Female D006801:Humans D007360:Intelligence D007361:Intelligence Tests D008297:Male D010775:Photic Stimulation D021641:Recognition, Psychology D012153:Retention, Psychology D013997:Time Factors D055815:Young Adult
recognition memory face scene retention interval intelligence