Keywords

Hippocampus, Recognition Memory, receiver operating characteristic (ROC)

Abstract

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) has been used to investigate the component processes of recognition memory. Some studies with this technique have been taken to indicate that the hippocampus selectively supports the process of recollection, whereas adjacent cortex in the parahippocampal gyrus supports the process of familiarity. We analyzed ROC data from young adults, memory-impaired patients with limited hippocampal lesions, and age-matched controls. The shape of the ROC changed in similar ways from asymmetric to symmetric, as a function of the strength of memory (strong to weak) in both the young adults and the patients. Moreover, once overall memory strength was similar, the shape of the patient ROC was asymmetric and matched the control ROC. These results suggest that the component processes that determine the shape of the ROC are operative in the absence of the hippocampus, and they argue against the idea that the hippocampus selectively supports the recollection process.

Original Publication Citation

Wais PE, Wixted JT, Hopkins RO, Squire LR. (2006). The hippocampus supports both the recollection and the familiarity components of recognition memory. Neuron, 49(3), 459-466.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2006

Publisher

Neuron

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

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Included in

Psychology Commons

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