RECALL ME MAYBE: THE IMPACT OF TEMPORAL SEGMENTATION ON FREE RECALL

Research suggests that spatiotemporal boundaries enhance recall (Logie & Donaldson, 2021). However, it is unclear whether this reflects the boundaries themselves or the post-encoding processes they enable (e.g., resource replenishment). Across four experiments, participants learned word lists in a virtual environment while spatial and temporal features of encoding were varied. Words were presented either in one room (spatially non-segmented) or across several rooms (spatially segmented). Within the spatially non-segmented conditions, we introduced several temporal or task-based variations either between individual items or groups of items. These intervals were designed to provide one of three formats: free time, task-based activity, or a mixed sequence that included both. We found that free time improved memory across experiments, regardless of whether it occurred between items or groups of items, and regardless of whether it coincided with a change in spatial location. Across manipulations, the pattern of results was most consistent with free time supporting the replenishment of encoding resources. These findings suggest that the improved recall observed in previous work can be attributed to free time itself and the cognitive processes it affords, rather than to temporal boundaries.