Kubik, V. 1, 3 , Jönsson, F. 1, 3 , Knopf, M. 2 & Nilsson, L. 1, 3
1 Stockholm University
2 Goethe University
3 Stockholm Brain Institute
Motoric encoding leads to better memory performance than verbal encoding of action phrases (the enactment effect, c.f. Nilsson, 2000). Also action phrases that are encoded for later enactive (in comparison to verbal) recall show reliably better memory accessibility (e.g., shorter recognition/lexical decision response latencies). This is referred to as the intention-superiority effect (Goschke & Kuhl, 1993; Marsh, Hicks & Bink, 1998) or the intended enactment effect (Freeman & Ellis, 2003). The current study explores comparatively both effects as a function of list length (18, 30, 60, or 90 items), in what order the retrieval tasks are presented (recall, recognition vs. recognition, recall), subjective item ratings (familiarity and motor activity) as well as individual differences (in action orientation, Kuhl & Beckmann, 1994). Similar effects of intended and realized enactment were found for memory accuracy and accessibility. These effects were moderated by the nature of the action phrase and action orientation: State-oriented individuals and highly motoric action phrases showed a pronounced (intended) enactment effect. The results are discussed in terms of the action- and intention-superiority account and the results support a common explanation for both effects.