Source dimensions are retrieved independently in multidimensional monitoring tasks

Jeffrey J. Starns, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70805, USA.
Jason L. Hicks

Abstract

In 3 experiments, the authors determined whether remembering a source dimension created a more complete internal reinstatement of the encoded event and thus cued access to other source dimensions. Results consistently showed that memory for the 2 source dimensions was correlated: correct responses on 1 dimension were typically associated with correct responses on the other. However, externally reinstating 1 source dimension at test had no influence on memory for the other dimension (Experiments 1A and 1B), and the ability to remember a dimension was the same whether it was tested in isolation or immediately following the retrieval of the other dimension (Experiment 2). Thus, there was no evidence of cuing across source dimensions.