title: Why it's easier to remember seeing a face we already know than one we don't: preexisting memory representations facilitate memory formation.
abstract: In two experiments, we provided support for the hypothesis that stimuli with preexisting memory representations (e.g., famous faces) are easier to associate to their encoding context than are stimuli that lack long-term memory representations (e.g., unknown faces). Subjects viewed faces superimposed on different backgrounds (e.g., the Eiffel Tower). Face recognition on a surprise memory test was better when the encoding background was reinstated than when it was swapped with a different background; however, the reinstatement advantage was modulated by how many faces had been seen with a given background, and reinstatement did not improve recognition for unknown faces. The follow-up experiment added a drug intervention that inhibited the ability to form new associations. Context reinstatement did not improve recognition for famous or unknown faces under the influence of the drug. The results suggest that it is easier to associate context to faces that have a preexisting long-term memory representation than to faces that do not.
authors: Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. reder@cmu.edu
authors: Lynne M
authors: LM
authors: Reder
authors: Lindsay W
authors: LW
authors: Victoria
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Manelis
authors: Joyce M
authors: JM
authors: Oates
authors: Janine M
authors: JM
authors: Dutcher
authors: Jordan T
authors: JT
authors: Bates
authors: Shaun
authors: S
authors: Cook
authors: Howard J
authors: HJ
authors: Aizenstein
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Quinlan
authors: Ferenc
authors: F
authors: Gyulai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D008568:Memory / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008874:Midazolam / Q000494:pharmacology; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012938:Social Perception; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam
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