TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagrams increase the recall of non-depicted text when understanding is also increased
AU - Serra, Michael
PY - 2010/1
Y1 - 2010/1
N2 - Multimedia presentations typically produce better memory and understanding than do single-medium presentations.
Little research, however, has considered the effect of multimedia on memory for nonmultimedia
information within a large multimedia presentation (e.g., nondepicted text in a large text with diagrams). To
this end, the present two experiments compared memory for target text information that was either depicted
in diagrams or not. Participants (n 5 180) studied either a text-only version of a text about lightning or a textwith-
diagrams version in which half the target information was depicted in diagrams. Memory was tested with
both free recall and cued recall questions. Overall, diagrams did not affect memory for the entire text; diagrams
increased memory only for the information they depicted. Diagrams exerted a generalized effect on free recall
only when diagrams increased the overall understanding of the text (i.e., when the participants studied the materials
twice before
AB - Multimedia presentations typically produce better memory and understanding than do single-medium presentations.
Little research, however, has considered the effect of multimedia on memory for nonmultimedia
information within a large multimedia presentation (e.g., nondepicted text in a large text with diagrams). To
this end, the present two experiments compared memory for target text information that was either depicted
in diagrams or not. Participants (n 5 180) studied either a text-only version of a text about lightning or a textwith-
diagrams version in which half the target information was depicted in diagrams. Memory was tested with
both free recall and cued recall questions. Overall, diagrams did not affect memory for the entire text; diagrams
increased memory only for the information they depicted. Diagrams exerted a generalized effect on free recall
only when diagrams increased the overall understanding of the text (i.e., when the participants studied the materials
twice before
M3 - Article
SP - 112
EP - 116
JO - Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
JF - Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
ER -