Response competition in recognition memory in three amnesic groups

Abstract
Experimental studies have suggested that a feature of the memory defect in some amnesic conditions may be a failure to inhibit competing responses at retrieval. It is not known whether this feature is present equally in different syndromes involving amnesia. Employing a recognition memory paradigm with varying numbers of response alternatives (based on Miller, 1978), three amnesic groups (Korsakov''s, senile dementia, and multi-infarct dementia) were compared using four types of test material. The groups were not differentially affected by increasing numbers of response alternatives.