Processing level and recognition: a search method for inducing alternative encodings of unrelated words

Ss (N = 24) viewed cards containing 4 words. In synonym orienting, half the cards contained a synonym pair & half did not; in homophone orienting, half the displays contained a homophone pair. The remaining 2 words in each display were used to index retention. During presentation of displays, Ss responded "yes" or "no" to indicate the presence or absence of a matching pair. Following presentation, a recognition test was administered. Results showed superior recognition following semantic orienting, for items tested early rather than late, for items tested with context, & for nonmatched displays requiring exhaustive item comparison. The presence of test cues improved recognition for homophone orienting items only. Possible reasons for this result are considered. 2 Tables, 14 References. HA