Practice Experiment 2
Self-Reference Effect
Broadly defining, Self-Reference Effect is a phenomenon, where individuals have a
tendency to encode information that is descriptive to themselves as well as relatable. Deeper
encoding is associated with better memory. When words are processed for self-reference, deeper
encoding takes place in comparison to when they are processed for their spellings (structural
characteristics). Retention is higher for those words (adjectives) which are processed for self-
reference in comparison to the words (adjectives) processed for their spellings.
Questions:
1) What is the Null Hypothesis (H0)? (For a directional and non-directional alternative
hypothesis)
2) What is the alternative hypothesis (H1)? (Directional and non-directional)
3) What is the rationale underlying the hypothesis?
4) What is the design?
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5) What is the I.V.?
6) What is the D.V.? What is the scale of measurement of the D.V.?
7) What kind of counterbalancing is required? Why?
8) What kind of controls did you maintain to avoid confounding?
9) To present the Comparison of the Mean Recall scores in the 2 conditions, what kind
of Figure (bar/line graph) would be appropriate? Why?
10) What would be the appropriate inferential statistical test for data analysis? Why?
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11) What would be the df? How would one determine whether the results were
statistically significant?
12) If the results were contrary to the hypothesis, what might be the possible reasons?
(Any sources of confounding, controls unintentionally missed out?)
13) Prepare a different, counterbalanced list of word-question combinations
Table 1
No. Word Question Type of Question
Demo-1 Quiet Does the word describe you? SRE
Demo-2 Naughty Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-No
Demo-3 Irregular Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-Yes
Demo-4 Cool Does the word describe you? SRE
1 Kind Does the word describe you? SRE+
2 Brave Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-Yes
3 Rigid Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-No
4 Wise Does the word describe you? SRE+
5 Tense Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-Yes
6 Selfish Does the word describe you? SRE-
7 Warm Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-No
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8 Timid Does the word describe you? SRE-
9 Weak Does the word describe you? SRE-
10 Trusting Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-No
11 Popular Does the word describe you? SRE+
12 Boring Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-No
13 Creative Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-Yes
14 Clumsy Does the word describe you? SRE-
15 Gentle Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-Yes
16 Reckless Does the word describe you? SRE-
17 Honest Does the word describe you? SRE+
18 Rude Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-Yes
19 Loyal Does the word describe you? SRE+
20 Lazy Does the word have an ‘e’? Splg-No
Instructions-
“This is a simple experiment on understanding words. I will say aloud some simple words, one
words at a time. Before saying each word, I will ask you a question about it. Please understand
the question, listen carefully as I say the word, and then write the answer to the question on this
paper, as either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. For example, if the question is “Does the word have an ‘e’?” and
if the spelling of the word has the letter ‘e’, you have to write ‘Yes’, but if the spelling of the
word I say does not have the letter ‘e’, you should write ‘No’. If the question is “Does the word
describe you?” and the word I say describes you as a person, you have to write ‘Yes’, but if the
word I say does not describe you, you should write ‘No’. (E demonstrated using 4 words). You
will be given only 5 seconds to decide and give the answer. In this way, I will say some words;
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you have to give the answer to the question I will ask about each word by writing either yes or
no. Have you understood? Do you have any doubts? Shall we begin?”
After making sure the participant had understood the instructions, the experiment began. The
participant was orally asked a question about the word, then the E said the word, and the
participants wrote his/her response (Yes/No). In this way 20 words were shown.
Instructions for the Recall Test –
“Now you have to write down on this sheet of paper, as many of the words that I had just said, as
possible. You can write down the words in any order, as you remember them. You will be given
only 5 minutes you recall and write down the words. Write the words vertically, one below the
other. Please note, the serial order of the words does not matter. Please begin.”
Table 2: Group Data- Comparison of Recall scores of 20 students for 2 levels of processing
and the calculation of SD.
Sr. No Self-Reference Words Spelling Words
X-M (X - M)2 X-M (X - M)2
10
11
12
5
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Total
Table 3: Group Data- Comparison of Recall scores of 20 students for 2 levels of processing
and the calculation of t-value.
Recall scores for 2 levels of processing
Ps. Self-reference Spelling Difference Difference2
6
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Total
Mean
Range
SD
√[
n−1
]
2
t= ∑D
n 2
−1
(∑ D )
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t(19) = ,p< , One-tailed OR t(19) = , n. s
Results – Main points to be noted –
Q1. Was the Mean Recall score in the Self-reference processing condition significantly higher
than the Mean Recall score in spelling processing condition? Why or why not?
