Modeling the Effects of Expectations on Recognition Memory

Abstract

Expectations have consistent effects on recognition memory, but prior research has not explained these results. Three theories of how expectations affect recognition were compared. According to integration theory, the probability of recognizing a test item increases with its similarity to memory traces both for expected items and for studied items. In weighting theory and in distortion theory, recognition judgments are determined by similarity to memory traces solely for studied items. Weighting theory additionally assumes that expectation-congruent items and expectation-incongruent items have differently weighted influences. Distortion theory additionally assumes that memory traces for studied items are distorted to be more like what is expected. Predictions for the three theories were obtained by implementing them within a mathematical model of memory. These predictions were compared with the results obtained in a meta-analysis of stereotype effects on recognition (Stangor & McMillan, 1992). The conclusion was that only integration theory predicted these results.