Recent literature suggests that typical forms of encoding (i.e., elaboration) are obsolete as compared to rating words based on survival relevance (Nairne, Thompson, and Pandeirada, 2007). Information encoded using survival ratings have produced superior recall despite manipulations to quell its effect. The current study examined whether survival processing is protected against forgetting. Our results suggest that targets studied under survival processing are not immune from retrieval blocking and RI effects. No effects of survival processing were obtained.

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Recently, cognitive psychologists have focused their research on the survival aspects of human memory, showing advantages for remembering information encoded for adaptive qualities. When participants rated words related to survival relevance (stranded in grasslands), Nairne et al. (2007) and others found survival processing’s retention superior to many semantic encoding techniques, however, we questioned the global application of survival processing. In the present adaptive memory experiment we used the thematic word list paradigm pioneered by Deese, Rodeiger and McDermott, allowing us to measure false recall of critical items from sets of word lists. To investigate recall differences based on the material type encoded, we separated recalled material into two categories: survival and non-survival. Because arousal can influence memory performance, we extended research on adaptive memory to include social arousal induced by videotaping participants during study and recall tasks. Videotaping subjects has been shown to induce arousal levels similar to those when being observed, and may parallel arousal experienced in survival scenarios. Overall, recall was lower for survival processing. Survival-relevant information was more accurately remembered, and was not hindered by camera presence, unlike non-survival information. Additionally, false memories were higher under videotaped conditions. While our results did not support Nairne and colleagues, our findings may support the development of evolved brain mechanisms. The current findings are discussed with an emphasis on contemporary high arousal situations that may influence the activation of adaptive memories. We join a growing set of literature that questions the overall benefits of survival processing.

Adaptive memory demonstrates that memory is enhanced when information is processed because of its relevance to survival (Nairne, Thompson, & Pandeirada, 2007). In the present experiments we examined whether there was a difference in individuals Need for Cognition (NFC) in regards to adaptive memory. Need for Cognition is characterized as the differences in individual’s preference for engaging in thought that requires effort. Specifically, individuals high in NFC could think of numerous ways to survive, thus being more likely to generate more thoughts and ideas, ultimately leading to better memory compared to low-NFC individuals. For both experiments participants read survival and moving scenarios and rated words according to each scenario. Participants received a surprise recall test on the rated words, and completed a NFC questionnaire. Experiment two examined true and false memories across multiple recall tests, giving participants three chances at recall prior to NFC scale. Results for experiment one indicated no effect of high and low NFC but there was an effect of scenario, indicating that the survival scenario led to greater recall than the moving scenario. Results for experiment two for target words, indicated that there was a significant effect for recall test as well as scenario, revealing that the survival scenario led to greater recall than the moving scenario. For false memories, high-NFC individuals gradually increased in recall from subsequent tests, compared to low-NFC individuals. Explanations for the lack of difference in high- and low-NFC individuals may be diminished from prompting a type processing that succeeds in increasing true and false memories for the low-NFC individuals, which is similar to high-NFC individuals.