A theoretical review and meta-analysis of the description-identification relationship in memory for faces
Abstract
Verbal descriptions can sometimes impair (or “overshadow”) and other times facilitate subsequent attempts at perceptual identification of faces; however, understanding the relationship between these two tasks and the theoretical mechanisms that bridge this relationship has often proven difficult. Furthermore, studies that have attempted to assess the description-identification relationship have varied considerably in demonstrating significant and null results, often across a variety of paradigms and design parameters. In the present paper we review the relevant literatures and theoretical positions proposed to explain this relationship, and we present the first meta-analysis of this effect across 33 research papers and a total of 4278 participants. Our results suggest that there does appear to be a small, but significant, relationship between the description measures of accuracy, number of incorrect descriptors, and congruence with that of subsequent identification accuracy. Furthermore, certain conditions were found to strengthen the magnitude of this relationship, including the use of face recognition versus eyewitness identification paradigms and the length of delays between relevant tasks. We discuss both the theoretical and practical implications of this relationship for understanding memory for faces.
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There is a small but significant association between the quality of the verbal description and subsequent recognition accuracy.
“Consistent with this, there is a small but significant association between the quality of the verbal description and subsequent recognition accuracy (Meissner, et al., 2008).”
From Episodic memory, perceptual memory, and their interaction: Foundations for a theory of posttraumatic stress disorder. (2014) · cites this paper as Meissner, et al., 2008
Both main theoretical approaches to verbal overshadowing are compatible with the idea of competition between multiple memory systems and representations.
“Although there is unlikely to be a single explanation for this effect, both the main theoretical approaches to verbal overshadowing are compatible with the idea of competition between multiple memory systems and representations (Meissner, et al., 2008).”
From Episodic memory, perceptual memory, and their interaction: Foundations for a theory of posttraumatic stress disorder. (2014) · cites this paper as Meissner, et al., 2008
Cites
A meta-analytic review of the effects of high stress on eyewitness memory
Deffenbacher, K. A., Bornstein, B. H., Penrod, S. D., & McGorty, E. K. (2004) · Law and Human Behavior · doi:10.1007/s10979-004-0565-x · Cited by 489 · cited 1× · see citing works
“However, even if a witness were trying to be attentive, high fear or stress (induced, possibly, by the presence of a weapon) is likely to interfere with memory and impair the accuracy of subsequent identifications (Deffenbacher, Bornstein, Penrod, & McGorty, 2004 ).”
BackgroundA meta‐analysis of the verbal overshadowing effect in face identification
Meissner, C. A., & Brigham, J. C. (2001) · Applied Cognitive Psychology · doi:10.1002/acp.728 · Cited by 236 · see citing works
Self-citationAt a Loss From Words: Verbal Overshadowing of Perceptual Memories
Schooler, J. W., Fiore, S. M., & Brandimonte, M. A. (1997) · Psychology of Learning and Motivation · doi:10.1016/s0079-7421(08)60505-8 · Cited by 157 · see citing works
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Brewin, C. R. (2014) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0033722 · Cited by 492 · see citing works
- Authors
- Meissner, C. A., Sporer, S. L., & Susa, K. J.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at El Paso (US)
- Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Meissner, Christian A.
- Venue
- European Journal of Cognitive Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2008-05
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 414-455
- ISSN
- 0954-1446 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-0635
- OpenAlex
- W2166655863
- Cited by
- 73
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 3
- FWCI
- 0.43
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The European Journal of Cognitive Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Face Recognition and Perception
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Deception detection and forensic psychology
- Keywords
- face memory, overshadowing, face recognition (cognition), eyewitness identification, memory interference
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