Nosofsky,R.M.
Little,D.R.
Donkin,C.
Fific,M.

Exemplar-similarity models such as the exemplar-based random walk (EBRW) model (Nosofsky & Palmeri, 1997b) were designed to provide a formal account of multidimensional classification choice probabilities and response times (RTs). At the same time, a recurring theme has been to use exemplar models to account for old-new item recognition and to explain relations between classification and recognition. However, a major gap in research is that the models have not been tested on their ability to provide a theoretical account of RTs and other aspects of performance in the classic Sternberg (1966) short-term memory-scanning paradigm, perhaps the most venerable of all recognition-RT tasks. The present research fills that gap by demonstrating that the EBRW model accounts in natural fashion for a wide variety of phenomena involving diverse forms of short-term memory scanning. The upshot is that similar cognitive operating principles may underlie the domains of multidimensional classification and short-term old-new recognition.

Nosofsky, R. M., Little, D. R., Donkin, C., & Fific, M. (2011). Short-term memory scanning viewed as exemplar-based categorization. Psychological Review, 118, 280-315. doi:10.1037/a0022494 (Full text)

Publication year	2011
Document type:	Article
Publication status:	Published
External URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0022494 View
Categories:	Memory
Keywords:	categorizationexemplar modelsindividual exemplars in memorymemory scanningof classificationpeople repre-recognitionresponse timessent categories by storingsimilarity to the storedthe basis of theirthey classify objects on