Perception and memory for pictures: Single-trial learning of 2500 visual stimuli

Abstract

Ss were shown 2,560 photographic Stimuli for 10 sec each; their recognition memory was then tested, using a two-alternative forced-choice task. Performance exceeded 90%, indicating retention of over 2,000 items, even when up to 3 days elapsed between learning and testing. Variants of the experiment showed that the presentation time could be reduced to 1 sec per picture without seriously affecting performance; also, that the stimuli could be reversed in orientation in the test situation without impairing recognition performance appreciably. The orientation of the stimuli could also be learned, although not as well as the identity of the pictures. These results indicate the vast memory for pictures possessed by human beings and emphasize the need to determine mechanisms by which this is accomplished. © 1970, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.