A novel study: Forgetting curves and the reminiscence bump |
| |
| Authors: | David E Copeland Gabriel A Radvansky Kerri A Goodwin |
| |
| Institution: | 1. University of Nevada, Las Vegas , Las Vegas, NV, USA david.copeland@unlv.edu;3. University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, IN, USA;4. Towson University , Towson, MD, USA |
| |
| Abstract: | This study examined the forgetting curves for information read in a novel. People read a 10-chapter novel where each chapter covered an approximately 10-year period in the life of the protagonist. After reading the entire novel, participants completed various memory tests in which they summarised the novel, provided associated information from cues, and answered specific questions. Performance was plotted as the amount of information or the accuracy of question answering for each chapter. All of the memory tests revealed similar patterns: (a) better performance for early information (a primacy effect), (b) a bump in performance when the protagonist was approximately 20 years old, and (c) a smaller bump in performance when the protagonist began a career later in life. These results are considered in the context of theories of forgetting, autobiographical memory, and situation models. |
| |
| Keywords: | Forgetting curve Reminiscence bump Narrative Autobiographical memory |
|
|
