Unambiguity of Forms and Inequality of Labels in Studies of Effect of Language on Memory for Form

Abstract

The nature of the forms and labels used in the Carmichael, et al. study of the effect of language on the memory for form, upon which subsequent studies and theory have been based, were investigated because of some doubts about their methodological status. Matching and identification techniques were used in a perception task, followed by a recall measure, as a means of examining the appearance of the forms, and the retention of the labels. The forms were not found to be equally assignable to their sets of labels, and to a lesser degree, the pairs of labels were unequally recalled. This absence of control over the materials, while noted as an aspect of the data in previous research, has apparently been overlooked in interpreting earlier findings. As a consequence, it remains doubtful whether modifications in the memory for form are the result of verbal suggestions.