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Imagery versus non-imagery mnemonic techniques on memory recall : the role of defensive pessimism

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Identifier	Thesis 2102
Author	Stein, Elizabeth A., 1980-
Title	Imagery versus non-imagery mnemonic techniques on memory recall : the role of defensive pessimism
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date	2010
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Notes	The role of defensive pessimism in memory recall was examined in a comparison of an imagery and non-imagery technique; as compared to an individual’s own best method. Defensive pessimism, an academic motivational strategy used to harness anxiety involves negative predictions for performance on upcoming tasks, even though past performance on similar tasks has been positive (Norem & Cantor, 1986). Defensive pessimism harnesses anxiety, protects self-esteem by cushioning the blow of failure, and prevents failure from occurring (Norem, 2002). Defensive pessimism is compared to strategic optimism, a strategy used to avoid generating anxiety by avoiding reflection on an upcoming task (Norem, 2002). Defensive pessimism is associated with higher performance on academic tasks when experimental conditions are anxiety producing and defensive pessimists are allowed to reflect on the task before hand (Perry & Skitka, 2009). Mnemonic techniques, such as the keyword method with imagery can be effective in increasing memory recall for college students on word recall tasks (Carney & Levin, 2008). Research on defensive pessimism’s role in mnemonic technique effectiveness is lacking. The present study compared the method of loci (imaging a familiar pathway with objects to which new information can be related), the letter strategy (creating words (acronyms) or sentences (acrostics) out of the first letter of each word memorized) against individuals using their own best method (Carney & Levin, 2003; Kleinheksel & Summy, 2003). Defensive pessimism and strategic optimism were measured using the Revised Defensive Pessimism Questionnaire. This research is an extension of Stein’s (2007) study regarding the role of dispositional optimism (general trait, positive expectations) and dispositional pessimism (general trait, negative expectations) on memory recall in a comparison of mnemonic techniques. The lack of significant differences between the means of dispositional optimists and dispositional pessimists on memory recall has been attributed to defensive pessimism. In the current study 140 CCSU undergraduate students (45 men and 92 women; mean age 19 years) participated. The between groups ANOVA compared 21 defensive pessimists, 25 strategic optimists and 48 neutral participants on memory recall. College students using a familiar, preferred technique recalled a high number of vocabulary words than participants in the mnemonic technique conditions squared. Defensive pessimism was not significantly related to higher immediate memory recall when compared to strategic optimists. These findings suggest that defensive pessimism does not play a role in high memory recall. High immediate memory recall on a vocabulary task was not achieved by using an imagery or non-imagery technique. Participants using their own best method or methods significantly recalled the highest number of vocabulary words on an immediate memory task due to familiarity with method and possible use of more than one method. Limitations include, not enough time to learn new and complicated technique, lack of an anxiety producing situation for defensive pessimists and small sample size. Future research would benefit from pre-screening participants for defensive pessimism, more time to learn mnemonic technique and using a larger sample size. Future direction would benefit from focusing on factors that motivate students to use mnemonic techniques and matching an individual with a strategy that compliments already existing strategies.
Subject	Pessimism Defensiveness (Psychology) Mnemonics
Department	Department of Psychology
Advisor	DiPlacido, Joanne
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Language	eng
OCLC number	696211033
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