Memory strategies mediate the relationships between memory and judgment

In the literature, the nature of the relationships between
memory processes and summary evaluations is still a debate.
According to some theoretical approaches (e.g., “two-memory
hypothesis”; Anderson, 1989) retrospective evaluations are
based on the impression formed while attending to the to-be assessed stimuli (on-line judgment) – no functional
dependence between information retrieval and judgment is
implied. Conversely, several theories entail that judgment
must depend, at least in part, on memory processes (e.g.,
Dougherty, Gettys, & Ogden, 1999; Schwarz, 1998; Tversky
& Kahneman, 1973). The present study contributes to this
debate by addressing two important issues. First, it shows
how more comprehensive memory measures than those used
previously (e.g., Hastie & Park, 1986) are necessary in order
to detect a relationship between memory and retrospective
evaluations. Secondly, it demonstrates how memory strategies
influence the relationship between memory and judgment.
Participants recalled lists of words, after having assessed each of them for their pleasantness. Results showed a clear
association between memory and judgment, which was
mediated by the individual strategies participants used to
recall the items.