title: Survival processing of faces.
abstract: The mnemonic benefit of rating words according to their relevance in a survival scenario is well documented (e.g., Nairne, Thompson, & Pandeirada, 2007). The present study examined whether the survival processing effect would extend to face stimuli. We tested this hypothesis in five experiments, using multiple survival and control scenarios, real and computer-generated face sets, within- and between-subjects designs, and several memory tests, as well as free recall of survival-relevant and survival-neutral attribute statements written about the person. Although the standard survival processing effect was obtained for survival-relevant and neutral attribute statements, the survival processing effect was not obtained for face memory across all experiments. These results identify an important boundary condition for survival processing benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Washington University, St Louis, MO 63130-4899, USA. acsavine@go.wustl.edu
authors.forename: Adam C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Savine
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Scullin
authors.forename: Henry L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Roediger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D013534:Survival / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult