How color enhances visual memory for natural scenes

Ian Spence, Patrick Wong, Maria Rusan, Naghmeh Rastegar

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

64 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We offer a framework for understanding how color operates to improve visual memory for images of the natural environment, and we present an extensive data set that quantifies the contribution of color in the encoding and recognition phases. Using a continuous recognition task with colored and monochrome gray-scale images of natural scenes at short exposure durations, we found that color enhances recognition memory by conferring an advantage during encoding and by strengthening the encoding-specificity effect. Furthermore, because the pattern of performance was similar at all exposure durations, and because form and color are processed in different areas of cortex, the results imply that color must be bound as an integral part of the representation at the earliest stages of processing.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPsychological Science
Volume17
Issue1
Pages (from-to)1-6
Number of pages6
ISSN0956-7976
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Association Learning
  • Attention
  • Color Perception
  • Environment
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Mental Recall
  • Nature
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual
  • Perceptual Masking
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Psychophysics
  • Reaction Time
  • Retention (Psychology)
  • Serial Learning

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