Recognition memory for common sounds

Abstract

Recognition memory was measured separately for printed words, spoken words, and common sounds. Ss in each group inspected 350 stimuli and then were tested with 100 pairs of “old” and “new” stimuli in a two-alternative forced-choice task. Mean scores were 84%, 75%, and 69% correct for printed words, spoken words, and common sounds, respectively. It appears that recognition memory for common sounds is inferior to that for familiar pictures and no better than that for printed or spoken words. © 1971, Psychonomic Journals, Inc.. All rights reserved.