Matching Forms as a Function of Complexity, Type of Match, and Retention Interval

Abstract

The present experiment tested the hypothesis that nominal processing increases as stimulus complexity increases. Subjects indicated whether two 4- or 12-sided forms, separated by an interval of .5 or 4.0 sec., were the same or different. “Same” responses corresponded to matches for physical or nominal identity. Longer RTs for high complexity than low complexity forms suggest that complexity affects the efficiency of visual processing rather than the occurrence of nominal processing. An interaction between type of match and interval, due to the longer RTs for matches of nominally identical forms at only the .5-sec. interval, indicates that at this interval, matches for physical and nominal identity are made with visual and nominal representations respectively.