A mechanistic account of the mirror effect for word frequency: A computational model of remember-know judgments in a continuous recognition paradigm

A theoretical account of the mirror effect for word frequency and of dissoc iations in the pattern of responding Remember vs. Know (R vs. K) for low- a nd high-frequency words was tested both empirically and computationally by comparing predicted with observed data theory in 3 experiments. The SAC (So urce of Activation Confusion) theory of memory makes the novel prediction o f more K responses for high- than for low-frequency words, for both old and new items. Two experiments used a continuous presentation and judgment par adigm that presented words up to 10 times. The computer simulation closely modeled the pattern of results, fitting new Know and Remember patterns of r esponding at each level of experimental presentation and for both levels of word frequency for each participant. Experiment 3 required list discrimina tion after each R response (Group 1) or after an R or K response (Group 2). List accuracy was better following R responses. All experiments were model ed using the same parameter values.