Additive and interactive effects in memory for subject-performed tasks

Abstract

Three experiments were carried out to explore reasons for the superior recall and recognition of subject-performed tasks (SPTs) relative to memory for the equivalent verbal commands. In Experiment 1, list structure was varied; list structure affected recall, but the variable did not interact with the SPT/command manipulation. The same absence of an interaction was found in Experiment 2 with respect to different retrieval conditions and also with respect to the age of adult subjects. Experiment 3 confirmed that the age difference was as large for SPTs as it was for verbal commands. In addition, an interaction between SPT/command and levels of processing was found in Experiment 3. Differences between the additive and interactive patterns of results are discussed in terms of SITS contributing both additional (possibly motoric) information and also conceptual information that overlaps with information added by other variables.