Encoding of Colors in Short-Term Memory

Abstract

A theory is proposed to explain results from prior experiments on release from proactive inhibition and the recall of colors or color names in short-term memory. It is assumed that colors are encoded in two ways, verbally and perceptually, while color names are encoded only verbally. Assuming that the release occurs when a new and different encoding is performed on changed material, it follows that release from proactive inhibition should occur with shifts from color names to colors but not with shifts in the opposite direction. These results were obtained in prior experiments. In the present experiment ambiguous colors were used to minimize the verbal encoding. As predicted, release from proactive inhibition was found with shifts from ambiguous colors to names as well as with shifts from names to the ambiguous colors.