Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D. in Psychology

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Matthew B. Reysen

Second Advisor

Stephanie E. Miller

Third Advisor

Douglas R. Davis

Relational Format

dissertation/thesis

Abstract

Although the encoding, storage, and retrieval of information between groups has been examined in both recall and recognition memory; surprisingly, there is no existing data regarding collaborative memory outcomes using a reconstruction task. In an attempt to fill this gap in the literature, participants assigned to one of four retrieval conditions were asked to study the order of unrelated word-lists in preparation for a memory test. Some reconstructed the lists by alternating turns with their group members (turn-taking). Others were forced to reconstruct the lists from the first item-position to the last item-position in addition to taking turns with group members (restricted). Still, others were alloto complete the reconstruction task any way they chose (free). A fourth retrieval condition (nominal) was created for comparison by pooling non-redundant responses from two participants who worked alone. Dyads in both the free and restricted retrieval conditions provided more accurate reconstructions than dyads in the turn-taking retrieval condition. In addition, free and restricted groups shono differences from nominal groups with regard to serial order memory. These findings demonstrate that collaborative inhibition can be eliminated in memory for serial order using a reconstruction task and are discussed in terms of implications for existing theoretical models of collaborative memory.

Concentration/Emphasis

Emphasis: Experimental Psychology

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.