Implicit and explicit memory for familiar and novel objects presented to touch

Two experiments examined implicit and explicit memory for familiar and unfa miliar objects presented haptically. Experiment 1 showed substantial primin g for real world objects using a speeded naming task. Furthermore, priming was not affected by changes in the mode of exploration (with gloves or with out gloves) from study to test. In contrast, explicit memory assessed by a recognition test was impaired when such a change occurred. Experiment 2 sho wed implicit memory for unfamiliar wooden objects when priming was evaluate d with a symmetry judgment task. Structural encoding but not elaborative en coding produced priming whereas explicit memory was enhanced under elaborat ive encoding. These findings suggest similarities between memory for object s in vision and touch.