Search-Inference Mechanisms in the Survival-Processing Paradigm: Insights from a Two-Response Task

Ogîrcin, Maria (2025) Search-Inference Mechanisms in the Survival-Processing Paradigm: Insights from a Two-Response Task. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

Text Bachelor-Thesis-Maria-Ogrcin-S5163641.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (777kB)

Abstract

The survival-processing effect (SPE) refers to the well-established finding that objects rated for their relevance to a survival scenario are remembered better than those rated in non-survival contexts. This mnemonic advantage is thought to reflect deeper, more elaborate encoding, though the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated whether relevance judgments stem from a serial search (evaluating potential uses one at a time) or a parallel search (evaluating multiple uses simultaneously). Participants completed a two-response relevance-rating task, where each object was rated twice (first under a one-second time limit, then with unlimited time), which allowed us to compare intuitive versus reflective judgments. Three object categories were included: low-relevance, ambiguous, and high-relevance objects. We hypothesized that ambiguous objects would benefit most from survival processing by prompting a more extended and productive search. Results showed increased reaction times from the first to the second rating task across all conditions, with significant judgment revisions consistent with serial processing. Although the SPE was not replicated for low- and high relevance items, a modest SPE emerged for ambiguous objects. Change-of-mind rates were also significantly higher in the survival than in the moving condition for ambiguous items. Additionally, low-relevance objects in the survival condition elicited longer reaction times and more judgment changes, suggesting greater cognitive engagement even when the relevance of the objects was not obvious. These findings support the idea that participants engage in a serial search process when judging object relevance and that extended, effortful search contributes to enhanced memory performance, particularly for ambiguous items. Keywords: survival processing, adaptive memory, rich encoding, serial search, two-response task

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Nieuwenstein, M.R. and Lorist, M.M.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2025 11:11
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2025 11:11
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5557

Actions (login required)

View Item