A new look at person memory

Abstract

Research interest in perceivers’ memory for the appearance, nonverbal behaviors, and verbal statements of others (i.e., targets) is growing. This chapter describes the emergence of this new look in person-memory research from its historical roots in eyewitness accuracy to its current focus on adaptive memory processes. With respect to adaptive memory, special attention is given to potential markers of targets’ sexual/sociosexual orientation and how perceivers’ proximal states, such as their short- or long-term mating goals, impact the relative importance and memorability of specific target cues (viz., appearance, verbal statements). The functional significance of enhanced memory for targets’ cues is discussed in domains ranging from the mundane (social categorization) to the serious (finding a mate). Gender differences in person memory are covered as well.