Predicting recognition during storage: The capacity of the memory system to evaluate itself

Abstract

The major goal of this experiment was to determine the accuracy with which subjects could predict at input their later recognition performance. Predictions were based on words varying on a number of attributes. Four categories of words were used: nonsense, abstract, concrete, and emotional. The number of words correctly recognized increased in the foregoing order although the difference between the concrete and emotional words was marginal. When all words were combined, there was a strong relationship between predicted recognition and actual recognition for words that were hits with a “very sure” confidence rating. Additionally, subjects considerably underestimated their later recognition performance. The results indicated that a new interpretation of the mechanism underlying “correct rejects” is feasible. The relevance of the results to other memory issues was also discussed. © 1976, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.