Memory for stimuli and memory for hypotheses in concept identification

Conducted 3 experiments to investigate memory in concept identification (CI). A total of 162 undergraduates performed a CI task and were unaware that memory for events during CI would subsequently be tested. 64 Ss were given a recognition task after CI and 48 Ss were given a recall task. Both recognition and recall for stimuli were barely above chance level. Significant but very small primacy and recency effects were obtained with recognition only. 50 Ss demonstrated considerable memory for hypotheses overtly tested during CI. It is concluded that any adequate theory of CI must be formulated in terms of hypothesis memory. (21 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).