AIMS:
• To investigate the duration of Very-Long-Term-Memory (VLTM).
• To see if memories can last several decades.
• To test VLTM in a way that showed external validity.
PROCEDURE:
• An opportunity sample of 392 American ex-High-School students aged between 17 and 74 was used. The time since leaving High School was up to 48 years. The participants were tested in four ways:
- Free recall of the names of as many of their ex-classmates as possible.
- A photo recognition test. The participants were asked to identify their former classmates from a set of 50 photos.
- A name recognition test.
- A name and photo matching test.
• VLTM was assessed by comparing the participants’ responses with yearbooks of all the students in that year.
FINDINGS:
• There was 90% accuracy in face and name recognition even with the participants who had left High School 34 years previously.
• This dropped to 80% after 48 years for name recognition and
40% after 48 years for face recognition.
• Free recall was less accurate: 60% after 15 years and only 30% after 48 years.
CONCLUSIONS:
• Recognition is better than recall.
• Classmates are rarely forgotten once recognition cues have been given.
