Memory for Pictures and Words following Literal and Metaphorical Decisions

The recognition memory of words and pictures was tested following a study session where the stimuli entered metaphorical or literal decision tasks. The results confirmed a picture superiority effect in the sense that the memory for pictures under all conditions was better than the memory for words. However, a metaphorical task at study had opposite effects on the long-term memory for pictures and words, producing better memory for words and poorer memory for pictures compared to a literal decision task at study. The results are interpreted within the concept of dual coding.