Effect of item repetition on episodic memory codification

Abstract

Item repetition is a mechanism which can cause interference during codification. To investigate the impact of this type of inference in long term episodic memory we established a codification procedure composed of three consecutive word recognition tests in which repeated distractors were used (difficult context), or not (easy context). The score obtained in both contexts was compared when the stimulus was presented auditorily as well as visually. Our subjects were 46 university students and 16 middle aged adults. The score from the immediate and the long term recognition tests was worse in the difficult context, independent of item presentation type or subject age. The results indicate that item repetition generated interference, hindering immediate and long term memory. This process lends itself to everyday situations, allowing further investigation concerning interference. Keywords: Episodic memory; interference; repetition; recognition; working memory.