Memory for events and locations obtained in the context of elicited imitation: Evidence for differential retention in the second year of life

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Patricia Bauer, Emory University; Angela F Lukowski sssss, University of California, Irvine; M Teresa Lechuga Garcia, Universidad de Jaén
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-02-01
• Publisher: Emory University Libraries
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2010.09.006
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Infant Behavior and Development
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 55
• End Page: 62
• Keywords: Humans; Memory; Child Development; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Female; Infant; Cross-Sectional Studies; Imitative Behavior; Models, Statistical; Mental Recall; Aging; Male

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that infants may have more robust memory for past experiences relative to memory for locations that have been encountered previously. This assertion, however, primarily results from the comparison of data that were collected using different experimental procedures. In the present study, we examined memory for events and memory for locations in the context of elicited imitation. Specifically, 13-, 16-, and 20-month-old infants were tested for long-term memory for events and locations after between-subjects delays of 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. The results indicated that the event memory was retained over lengthier delays relative to the location memory, despite superior encoding of location information. The possible adaptive significance of long-term memory for events ontogenetically preceding long-term memory for locations is discussed. © 2010 Elsevier Inc.