Independent Recollection-Familiarity Ratings: Similar Effects of Levels-of-Processing Whether Amount or Confidence is Rated

Williams, Helen; Bodner, G. E.

Abstract

Independent recollection-familiarity (RF) ratings are sometimes collected to measure subjective experiences of recollection and familiarity during recognition. Although the RF ratings task purports to measure the ‘degree’ to which each recognition state is experienced, the rating scale has been worded in terms of confidence rather than amount. Given prior evidence that wording influences recognition and remember/know judgments, we compared RF rating scales worded in terms of ‘amount’ versus ‘confidence’ across two groups. A robust levels-of-processing effect occurred on both recollection and familiarity ratings, and its magnitude was similar across scale wording. Scale wording did not influence recognition ratings, and, most importantly, it had little influence on ratings of recollection and familiarity. These findings suggest that participants may use confidence to rate amount, or vice versa. Regardless, researchers should align their task instructions and scale wording, and should publish them. Such alignment and transparency is crucial for interpreting measures of the memory states that arise during recognition memory.

Citation

Williams, H., & Bodner, G. E. (2019). Independent Recollection-Familiarity Ratings: Similar Effects of Levels-of-Processing Whether Amount or Confidence is Rated. Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology, 73(2), 94-99. https://doi.org/10.1037/cep0000161

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 2, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2019
• Journal: Canadian Journal of Experimental Psychology / Revue canadienne de psychologie expérimentale
• Print ISSN: 1196-1961
• Publisher: Canadian Psychological Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 73
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 94-99
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/cep0000161
• Keywords: familiarity, recollection, recollection-familiarity ratings, recognition memory
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/412079
• Publisher URL: https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/cep0000161