The Picture Superiority Effect: Support for the Distinctiveness Model

1999/01/01 by Miriam Z. Mintzer, Joan Gay Snodgrass · 124 citations
Medicine · Neuroscience · Psychology · #Cognitive psychology #Memory Processes and Influences #Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies #Optimal distinctiveness theory #Psychology #Radiology practices and education #Social psychology

paper · doi:10.2307/1423627

published in The American Journal of Psychology 112(1), 113 (University of Illinois Press)

openalex publication_date 1999/01/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

The form change paradigm was used to explore the basis for the picture superiority effect. Recognition memory for studied pictures and words was tested in their study form or the alternate form. Form change cost was defined as the difference between recognition performance for same and different form items. Based on the results of Experiment 1 and previous studies, it was difficult to determine the relative cost for studied pictures and words due to a reversal of the mirror effect. We hypothesized that the reversed mirror effect results from subjects' basing their recognition decisions on their assumptions about the study form. Experiments 2 and 3 confirmed this hypothesis and generated a method for evaluating the relative cost for pictures and words despite the reversed mirror effect. More cost was observed for pictures than words, supporting the distinctiveness model of the picture superiority effect.

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