Recognizing Memorability in Context: Target and Filler Effects in Ultra-Fast RSVP

Kempinga, Willem (2025) Recognizing Memorability in Context: Target and Filler Effects in Ultra-Fast RSVP. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

This study examined the role of target and filler memorability in ultra-rapid visual recognition using a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm. Prior research has shown that image memorability enhances detection accuracy, but the influence of contextual memorability, specifically that of surrounding filler images, remains unclear. Participants viewed RSVP sequences of outdoor images that varied in target memorability, filler memorability, and stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA: 10, 20, or 80 ms). They were asked to indicate whether a specified target image appeared in each sequence. Recognition accuracy was measured using d′. The results revealed significant main effects of target memorability and SOA, with more memorable targets and longer presentation durations leading to higher accuracy. However, filler memorability did not significantly affect recognition and did not interact with target memorability or SOA. These findings partially replicate those of Broers et al. (2017) and suggest that recognition performance in RSVP tasks is primarily driven by the memorability of the target itself rather than by the surrounding context. The results are consistent with feedforward models of visual processing, which propose that conceptual recognition can occur rapidly and independently of contextual information.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Nieuwenstein, M.R.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Cognitive Psychology and Psychophysiology (CPP) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2025 11:50
Last Modified:	13 Aug 2025 11:50
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5847

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