Memory and Distortion of Meaningful Written Material*

A method is presented for measuring memory and distortion of meaningful written material. The method is based on the fact that since meaningful material asserts set relations, a subject's memory and distortion of such material may be measured by asking him to recognize or recall set relations, rather than specific verbal units. In addition, a measure of ‘simplification’, in terms of distorted set relations, is proposed. A series of experiments concerned with recognition and recall of set relations reveals that simplification, as defined, does occur. But it does not increase over time.