Not all experiences are remembered equally well. One of the central questions in memory research is why some information forms lasting memories while other information is quickly forgotten. A key explanation is that memories become stronger when information is processed more deeply during encoding. Earlier research has predominantly compared perceptual and semantic processing but it remains unclear whether deeper processing can also benefit memory in the absence of meaning.
Why do some experiences remain vivid for years while others disappear within moments? A fundamental question in cognitive psychology is how the way information is processed influences the formation of long-term memories. Decades of research have shown that memory performance increases when information is processed on a deeper level of processing. Traditionally, this effect has been shown by comparing perceptual and semantic processing, thereby suggesting a dichotomy in processing stages. This project investigates whether different levels of processing can also unfold without meaningful processing (e.g., solely perceptual processing). By examining memory beyond the domain of semantic meaning, it contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of cognitive mechanisms that determine why some visual experiences are remembered while others are forgotten.
Publication in peer-reviewed journal
