Effect of Distinctive Frames on Memory for Pictures

Abstract

Prior research has found that when attention was brought to the frame of a picture using a verbal cue, memory for frames increased while memory for pictures decreased. This study attempted to test whether the same effect would occur without an explicit verbal cue. Specifically, we compared primary and secondary distinctiveness in frame processing in an attempt to integrate the frame without a verbal cue. Primary distinctiveness was manipulated through color, and secondary distinctiveness was manipulated through the shape of the frame. Participants were shown a series of framed pictures and then given a recognition test for the pictures without the frames. The results replicated the diminished memory for pictures only when secondary distinctiveness was used. Implications of these findings on frame selection are discussed.