In search of a motor element in memory for enacted events

Abstract

Four experiments tried with different methods to locate a theoretically expected motor factor in memory of enacted movement patterns. The first experiment examined forward versus backward reporting; the second and third looked at possible interactions between encoding and retrieval modalities, whereas the fourth experiment examined whether motor aspects would come more clearly to the fore with practice on the task. Since none of the experiments could detect motor effects, motor factors were suggested to be more important for execution than for memory of actions.

Notes

Correspondence should be addressed to Tore Helstrup, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Box 1094, Blindern, N‐0317 Oslo 3, Norway. Email: [email protected]

This research has been supported by the Norwegian Research Council, and by funds from the University of Oslo. Helpful assistance from a number of student assistants and advice from colleagues and reviewers are gratefully acknowledged.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tore Helstrup

Correspondence should be addressed to Tore Helstrup, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Box 1094, Blindern, N‐0317 Oslo 3, Norway. Email: [email protected] This research has been supported by the Norwegian Research Council, and by funds from the University of Oslo. Helpful assistance from a number of student assistants and advice from colleagues and reviewers are gratefully acknowledged.