Priming and recognition of transformed three-dimensional objects: effects of size and reflection

J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn. 1992 Jan;18(1):43-57. doi: 10.1037//0278-7393.18.1.43.

Abstract

In 2 experiments exploring memory for unfamiliar 3-dimensional objects, Ss studied drawings under conditions that encouraged encoding of global object structure. Implicit memory for objects was assessed by a judgment of structural possibility; explicit memory was assessed by recognition. The principal manipulation was the relationship between the sizes or the left-right parities of the studied and tested objects. Priming was observed on the possible-impossible object decision task despite transformations of size or reflection. Recognition, by contrast, was significantly impaired by the transformations. These results suggest that a structural description system constructs representations of objects invariant over size and reflection, whereas a separable episodic system encodes these transformations as properties of an object's distinctive representation in memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attention*
  • Depth Perception*
  • Discrimination Learning
  • Female
  • Form Perception*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Recall*
  • Optical Illusions
  • Orientation*
  • Psychophysics
  • Size Perception*