Further study of encoding and arousal factors in free recall of verbal and visual material

Abstract

In an effort to extend earlier findings to additional conditions, 72 male Ss were presented 24 items, half as words and half as line drawings, with or without instructions to try to remember them. Free recall was tested immediately after presentation and/or 1 day later. Picture recall was superior to word recall in all conditions, extending the previous finding. Other, GSR-related, aspects of the earlier results were not confirmed. Double encoding of pictures, through spontaneous generation of verbal labels, still appeared a reasonable explanation for the superior memory; but the role of arousal factors was no longer clear. © 1969, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.