The effects of propositional versus analog coding on false recollections: A study on pictorial memory of young adults

The current study aims to investigate the effects of encoding types on false recollection performance concerning pictorial information within the context of false memory literature. Dual code theory asserts that two distinct encoding types are involved in memory processes. This theory suggests that one of the codes is analog (imagery), specialized for nonverbal or nonlinguistic information, while the other code is propositional, specialized for linguistic or verbal information. The interconnected nature of these dual codes is highlighted in the encoding, storage, organization, and retrieval of visual stimuli. Despite this interconnectedness of the propositional and analog codes, psychology literature lacks extensive evidence demonstrating the separate existence of propositional and analog codes in memory. To address this gap, this study builds upon a previous study that successfully manipulated propositional and analog codes. In addition to replicating the methods from the mentioned study, nine new pictures were created, and ten pictures were used as studied pictures. Each picture generated three sub-pictures, constituting the foil category (unstudied pictures) based on the study. These sub-pictures included pictures with reversal, displacement, and novelty changes. It was anticipated that these changes would lead to false recollections based on the manipulation of propositional and analog codes. A total of 80 participants (42F, 38M) aged between 18 and 31 (M= 20.6, SD= 0.4) participated in the current study. During the study session, participants were told to view original pictures, randomly presented on a computer screen. Following a distractor task, a recognition task was administered, and the original and foils were presented. Participants were asked to decide whether each picture was an "old" or "new" picture. Analyses were conducted on false alarm rates (old responses given to new pictures). However, it was assumed that false recollection may occur and differ between these sub-pictures contingent upon encoding types. The findings revealed that encoding types did not significantly affect false recollection performance. Significant differences were found between pictures in foil categories in terms of false recollection. Considering the significant effect of foil category on false recollection performance, it was found that old decisions given to displacement foil were as few as those given to novelty foil. On the other hand, old decisions given to reversal foil were at least as frequent as old decisions for original pictures. While the findings were generally consistent with the literature, there were some inconsistent points. It was concluded that there is a robust memory for visual details. However, it was found false recollection differences in terms of change types. In reverse changes, there were more false recollections than displacement and novelty foils. All results were interpreted in the context of the manipulation methods and the characteristics of the pictures.