The Role of Decision Flexibility and Cognitive Reflection in the Survival Processing Advantage

Simon, Iarina (2025) The Role of Decision Flexibility and Cognitive Reflection in the Survival Processing Advantage. Bachelor thesis, Psychology.

Text BThesisISimonS5229553.pdf Restricted to Repository staff only Download (702kB)

Abstract

Previous research has shown that memory may be enhanced when information is processed in a survival context, an effect known as the survival processing advantage. However, the cognitive mechanisms underlying this effect remain under debate. The present study examined whether decision flexibility, measured as changes of mind (CoM) during relevance judgments, and cognitive reflection contribute to memory performance in survival scenarios. Using a within-subjects design, 95 participants rated objects’ relevance in both survival and moving scenarios using a two-response method and later completed a surprise recall test. CoM responses were defined as instances where participants revised their initial relevance judgment from irrelevant to relevant between the first and second rating. A 2 (Scenario: survival, moving) × 3 (Relevance: low, ambiguous, high) repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted on recall proportions and CoM rates, alongside correlation analyses with Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT) scores. Results did not replicate the survival processing advantage, though ambiguous items, defined as objects with prior ratings marked by high variability and differing views on their usefulness, were generally better remembered than low- or high-relevance items. Participants exhibited more changes of mind in the survival condition, especially for ambiguous items. However, CoM rates were not associated with recall performance, and CRT scores did not correlate with CoM rates. These findings suggest that decision flexibility and cognitive reflection alone may not account for the survival processing advantage, highlighting the role of item-level properties in memory performance. Understanding these factors helps advance research on adaptive memory and its mechanisms. Keywords: survival processing advantage, adaptive memory, decision flexibility, cognitive reflection, ambiguous items

Item Type:	Thesis (Bachelor)
Supervisor name:	Nieuwenstein, M.R.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	None [Bachelor Psychology]
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2025 11:37
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2025 11:37
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5565

Actions (login required)

View Item