Animacy effect in the mnemonic advantage: A three-level meta-analysis.

Abstract

Over the last decade, the animacy effect has emerged as a significant advantage in the processing of adaptive memory, illustrating that individuals tend to have superior memory for animate over inanimate stimuli. Despite this, a systematic analysis of the effect remains absent. A quantitative review is needed to assess the stability of the animacy effect, and the reverse animacy effect observed in some studies also requires investigation. Employing a three-level meta-analytic approach, this study provides a comprehensive evaluation and synthesis of the animacy effect's influence on memory processing. Through the integration of 45 primary studies, we conclusively demonstrate the consistent presence of the animacy effect within the context of enhanced memory processing, characterized by a large effect size (η_p²= .19, 95% CI [.38, .55]). Our findings indicate that the impact of the animacy effect is robust across variations in study year and geographical location, confirming its stability across diverse cultural and temporal frameworks. Importantly, our analysis revealed that the animacy effect was moderated by the type of memory task. Specifically, the animacy effect was stronger in free recall compared to recognition and cued recall, with the latter two showing a less consistent animacy effect. This insight underscores the necessity of considering the memory task type in research on the animacy effect, particularly in experimental designs investigating the underlying mechanisms of its influence. In sum, although the magnitude of the animacy effect may vary across memory tasks, it represents a stable memory advantage shaped by evolutionary pressures. Continued research is needed to uncover its cognitive underpinnings and to translate these findings into practical domains such as education and marketing.