Luther Dana Waterman Professor of Psychological & Brain Sciences
(812) 855-4972
shiffrin@indiana.edu

See also:
personal homepage
curriculum vitae

Ph.D., Stanford University, 1968

• Guggenheim Fellow, 1975-76
• Waterman Research Professor, Indiana University, 1980-present
• Chair, Governing Board, Psychonomic Society, 1987
• Chair, Society for Mathematical Psychology, 1985
• Chair, Society of Experimental Psychologists, 1981
• Editor, Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 1981-84

• James McKeen Cattell Sabbatical Fellowship, 1994-95
• Elected to the National Academy of Science, 1995
• Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 1996
• Howard Crosby Warren Medal (Society of Experimental Psychologists), 1999
• The David E. Rumelhart Prize for Contributions to the Formal Analysis of Human Cognition

I am interested in mathematical and computer simulation models of memory, learning, retrieval, attention, limited capacity, automatism, and perception, and empirical research to test and develop these models.

In recent years I have paid particular interest to memory retrieval, and have contrasted traditional models with parallel, distributed, composite models, and a new model based on Bayesian optimal retrieval. The new model is aimed to explain storage and retrieval not only of recent events, but of general knowledge and the relation between the two. The empirical research explores different ways in which memory is accessed, such as recall, recognition, or implicit tests.

Another major line of work involves limited capacity in human information processing (both in memory and perception) and ways in which the development of automatic processes allow such attentional limitations to be overcome. This work is carried out largely in the domains of visual and memory search tasks.

Other current research involves the learning of word and letter units, perception and recognition, and the modeling of processes underlying response times in attention and memory tasks.

The following selection of representative publications is listed in inverse chronological order:

Huber, D. E., Shiffrin, R. M., Lyle, K. B. & Ruys, K. I. (in press) Perception and Preference in Short-term Word Priming.
Psychological Review.
Research Report # 237, IU Cognitive Science Series:
http://www.cogs.indiana.edu/cogsci/techreps/year1999.html

Raaijmakers, J. G. W., & Shiffrin, R. M. (2002). Models of memory. In Pashler, H., & Medin, D. (eds.) Stevens Handbook of Psychology 3rd Edition, Vol. 2: Memory and Cognitive Processes (pp. 43-76).

Cousineau, D., Goodman, V. W., & Shiffrin, R. M. (2002). Extending statistics of extremes to distributions varying in position and scale, and the implications for race models. Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 46, 431-454.

Steyvers, M.,Wagenmakers, E. M., Shiffrin, R. M., Zeelenberg, R., & Raaijmakers, J. G. W. (2001). A Bayesian model for the time course of lexical processing. In Altmann, Erik M. and Cleeremans, Axel (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2001 Fourth International Conference on Cognitive Modeling (pp. 205-209). Mahwah, NJ, US: LEA, 289 pp.

Malmberg, K. J., Steyvers, M., Stephens, J., & Shiffrin, R. M. (2002). Feature frequency effects in recognition memory. Memory & Cognition, 30, 607-613.

Huber, D. E., Shiffrin, R. M., Quach, R., & Lyle, K. B. (2002). Mechanisms of source confusion and discounting in short-term priming 1: Effects of prime duration and prime recognition. Memory & Cognition, 30, 745-757.

Huber, D. E., Shiffrin, R. M., Lyle, K. B., & Quach, R. (2002). Mechanisms of source confusion and discounting in short-term priming 2: Effects of prime similarity and target duration. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition, 28, 1120-1136.

Wagenmakers, E. J. M., Zeelenberg, R., Huber, D., Raaijmakers, J. G. W., Shiffrin, R. M., & Schooler, L. (2002). REMI and ROUSE: Quantitative models for long-term and short-term priming in perceptual identification. In Bowers, J. & Marsolek, C. J. (Eds.), Rethinking Implicit Memory (pp. ??). UK: Oxford University Press.

Schooler, L., Shiffrin, R. M. & Raaijmakers, J. G. W. (2001) A model for implicit effects in perceptual identification.
Psychological Review, 108, 257-272.

Diller, D. E., Nobel, P.A., & Shiffrin, R. M. (2001). An ARC-REM model for accuracy and response time in recognition and cued recall.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. 27, 414-435.
Research Report # 230, IU Cognitive Science Series:
http://www.cogs.indiana.edu/cogsci/techreps/year1999.html

Nobel, P.A., & Shiffrin, R. M. (2001). Retrieval processes in recognition and cued recall.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. 27, 384-413.

Zeelenberg, R., Shiffrin, R.M. & Raaijmakers, J.G.W. (1999). Priming in a free association task as a function of association directionality.
Memory & Cognition, 27 (6), 956-961.

Shiffrin, R.M., & Steyvers, M. (1998). The effectiveness of retrieval from memory.
In M. Oaksford & N. Chater (Eds.), Rational Models of Cognition, pp. 73-95 Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Nobel, P.A. (1997). The art of model development and testing.
Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers, Vol. 29, No. 1, pp. 6-14. Psychonomic Society Publications.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Lightfoot, N. (1997). Perceptual learning of alphanumeric-like characters.
In R. L. Goldstone, P.G. Schyns, & D. L. Medin (Eds.) The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, Volume 36. San Diego: Academic Press. (pp. 45-82).

Shiffrin, R. M. & Steyvers, M. (1997). A model for recognition memory: REM: Retrieving effectively from memory.
Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 4(2), 145-166.

Shiffrin, R. M., Diller, D. & Cohen, A., (1995). Processing visual information in an unattended location.
In Coles, M., Logan, G., & Kramer, A. (Eds.). Converging Operations in the Study of Visual Selective Attention, Chapter 7. American Psychological Association: Washington, D.C.

Shiffrin, R. M., Huber, D. & Marinelli, K. (1995). Effects of category length and strength on familiarity in recognition.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, Vol. 21, No. 2, 267-287.

Clark, S. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1992). Cuing effects and associative information in recognition memory.
Memory and Cognition, Volume 20, No. 5, pp. 580-598.

Murnane, K. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1991). Interference and the representation of events in memory.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 17 (5), 855-874.

Shiffrin, R. M., Ratcliff, R. & Clark, S. (1990). The list-strength effect: II. Theoretical mechanisms.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 16, 179-195

Ratcliff, R., Clark, S. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1990). The list-strength effect: I. Data and discussion.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 16, 163-178.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Thompson, M. (1988). Moments of transition-additive random variables defined on finite, regenerative random processes.
Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 32, 313-340.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Czerwinski, M. P. (1988). A model of automatic attention attraction when mapping is partially consistent.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 14, 562-569.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1988). Attention. In Atkinson, R. C., Herrnstein, R. J., Lindzey, G., & Luce, R. D. (Eds.),
Stevens' Handbook of Experimental Psychology, 2nd Edition, 739-811. New York: Wiley.

Clark, S. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1987). Recognition of multiple-item probes.
Memory & Cognition, 15, 367-378.

Gronlund, S. D. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1986). Retrieval strategies in recall of natural categories and categorized-lists.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 12, 550-561.

Salasoo, A., Shiffrin, R. M. & Feustel, T. C. (1985). Building permanent memory codes: Codification and repetition effects in word identification.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 114, 50-77.

Gillund, G. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1984). A retrieval model for both recognition and recall.
Psychological Review, 91, 1-67.

Feustel, T. C., Shiffrin, R. M. & Salasoo, A. (1983). Episodic and lexical contributions to the repetition effect in word identification.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 112, 309-347.

Shiffrin, R. M., Dumais, S. T. & Schneider, W. (1981). Characteristics of automatism. In Long, J. & Baddeley, A. (Eds.).,
Attention and Performance IX, 223-237.

Gillund, G. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1981). Free recall of complex pictures and abstract words.
Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 20, 575-592.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Dumais, S. T. (1981). The development of automatism. In Anderson, John (Ed.),
Cognitive Skills and Their Acquisition, 111-140. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Raaijmakers, J. G. W. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1981). Search of associative memory.
Psychological Review, 88, 93-134.

Raaijmakers, J. G. W. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1980). SAM: A theory of probabilistic search of associative memory.
In Bower, G. H. (Ed.), The Psychology of Learning and Motivation, Vol. 14, 207-262. New York: Academic Press.

Penner, M. J. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1980). Nonlinearities in the coding of intensity within the context of a temporal summation model.
Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 67, 617-628.

Shiffrin, R. M., & Cook, J. R. (1978). Short-term forgetting of item and order information.
Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior, 17, 189-218.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Schneider, W. (1977). Controlled and automatic human information processing: II. Perceptual learning, automatic attending, and a general theory.
Psychological Review, 84, 127-190.

Schneider, W. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1977). Controlled and automatic human information processing: I. Detection, search, and attention.
Psychological Review, 84, 1-66.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1976). Capacity limitations in information processing, attention and memory.
In W. K. Estes (Ed.), Handbook of Learning and Cognitive Processes: Vol. 4. Attention and Memory (pp. 177-236). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1975). Short-term store: The basis for a memory system.
In F. Restle, R. M. Shiffrin, N. J. Castellan, H. R. Lindman, & D. B. Pisoni (Eds.), Cognitive Theory (Vol. 1, pp. 193-218). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1973). Visual free recall.
Science, 80, 980-982.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1973). Information persistence in short-term memory.
Journal of Experimental Psychology, 100, 39-49.

Shiffrin, R. M. & Gardner, G. T. (1972). Visual processing capacity and attentional control.
Journal of Experimental Psychology, 93, 72-82.

Atkinson, R. C. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1971). The control of short-term memory.
Scientific American, 224, 82-90.

Shiffrin, R. M. (1970). Forgetting, trace erosion or retrieval failure?
Science, 168, 1601-1603.

Shiffrin, R. M (1970). Memory search. In D. A. Norman (Ed.),
Models of Memory (pp. 375-447). New York: Academic Press.

Atkinson, R. C. & Shiffrin, R. M. (1968). Human memory: A proposed system and its control processes.
In K.W.Spence and J. T. Spence (Eds.), The Psychology of Learning and Motivation: Advances in Research and Theory(Vol. 2, pp. 89-195). New York: Academic Press.