Visual Memory,Verbal Schemas,and Film Comprehension

Abstract

An ambiguous silent film was viewed either by itself or with an improbable but plausible verbal synopsis presented either before or after the film. In general, the verbal synopsis significantly influenced inferences made one hour later, but there was an interaction between visualization ability and the order in which the synopsis and film were presented. Visualization ability significantly decreased biased inferences when the film was seen first, but significantly increased this bias when the synopsis preceded the film. Greater synopsis influence was also associated with greater comprehensibility of the film. Visualization ability significantly affected recognition of “hits” while presenting the synopsis after the film increased the rate of false alarms. Results suggest that individual differences in visual ability and conflict between visual and verbal information should be considered when generalizing about encoding, retrieval, and story comprehension using visual media. Implications for media influences, film study and the use of film/video in other settings are also discussed.