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F R Schab

Publications and source records attributed to F R Schab.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Odor memory: taking stock.

This review discusses the state of knowledge in odor memory within the framework of mainstream memory research. Experimental findings are structured around prevailing theoretical distinctions in the study of memory proper, including semantic-episodic memory and implicit-explicit memory. Unaided odor-identification performance is found to be approximately 40%-50% of the total stimulus set presented to Ss, although performance approaches the limit of memorial discrimination if Ss are given label training with feedback. Odor identification is conceptualized as a task with 3 major components and where performance falls on a continuum ranging from nonverbal feelings of familiarity to specific object names. Odor recognition is shown to be relatively stable over long retention intervals, and more than 1 explanation can account for this effect. It is also suggested that name recognition may contribute to the results obtained in odor-recognition experiments. Several possible avenues for future research on both explicit and implicit memory for odors are mentioned. It is concluded that although much is known already about memory for odors, many questions still remain unanswered or unasked.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Accuracy of temporal coding: auditory-visual comparisons.

Three experiments were designed to decide whether temporal information is coded more accurately for intervals defined by auditory events or for those defined by visual events. In the first experiment, the irregular-list technique was used, in which a short list of items was presented, the items all separated by different interstimulus intervals. Following presentation, the subject was given three items from the list, in their correct serial order, and was asked to judge the relative interstimulus intervals. Performance was indistinguishable whether the items were presented auditorily or visually. In the second experiment, two unfilled intervals were defined by three nonverbal signals in either the auditory or the visual modality. After delays of 0, 9, or 18 sec (the latter two filled with distractor activity), the subjects were directed to make a verbal estimate of the length of one of the two intervals, which ranged from 1 to 4 sec and from 10 to 13 sec. Again, performance was not dependent on the modality of the time markers. The results of Experiment 3, which was procedurally similar to Experiment 2 but with filled rather than empty intervals, showed significant modality differences in one measure only. Within the range of intervals employed in the present study, our results provide, at best, only modest support for theories that predict more accurate temporal coding in memory for auditory, rather than visual, stimulus presentation.

Adult↗