Distractor similarity effects in tests of discrimination recognition and distractor-free recognition

Abstract

Following the presentation of a list of high- and low-frequency words, recognition was tested by means of a distractor-free test, a recognition-discrimination test with similar distractors, and a recognition-discrimination test with dissimilar distractors. Correct recognition scores were lowest for subjects taking the distractor-free test and highest for those taking the distractor-discrimination test with dissimilar distractors. False recognition scores were lowest for dissimilar low-frequency words. The results support the thesis that distractors confound measures of recognition. The authors recommend that measures of pure recognition should be limited to distractor-free tests. © 1988, The Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.