Exploring precall using arousing images and utilising a memory recall practice task on-line

There is on-going discussion over claims that future practice can retroactively influence prior performance. An initial attempt to examine possible precall effects using a modified priming task showed no evidence of precognition when looking at the response times, but did find that participants were more accurate to respond to material they would see again in the future (Vernon, 2015). This may indicate that a memory task relying primarily on accuracy of performance, such as a memory recall task, could be a more sensitive measure of precognition. Whilst previous attempts at this have produced mixed results (see, Galak et al., 2012; Ritchie et al., 2012) it may be possible to bolster potential precall effects by utilising arousing images (see, Maier et al., 2014; Lobach, 2009) within a paradigm that requires participants to remember and recall the stimuli during the post-recall practice phases to help facilitate possible precall effects. Finally, by running the study on-line it will be possible to eliminate any potential influence the experimenter could have over participants taking part. Hence, the aim of this study will be to use an on-line paradigm to present a selection of arousing images that participants then have to recall. Following the recall phase they will then be presented with a random sub-set of images to view and recall four times. The research question is simply: ‘will post-recall practice lead to greater recall of those items compared to items not practiced’.