Are co-attention effects on memory limited to group members? A registered conceptual replication and extension of Shteynberg (2010).

Résumé

Co-attention has been shown to enhance memory. Although this effect has been replicated in different social contexts, its minimal conditions remain unclear. Features of previous experiments have been conducive to collaboration, such as participants completing complementary tasks or experiencing a minimal ingroup manipulation. Consequently, it remains unknown whether co-attention effects on memory reflect a fundamental motivation to represent the mental states of those around us, or whether they are limited to coordination contexts. The proposed studies will test whether mere passive co-attention with a stranger is sufficient to enhance memory. We plan two experiments to: (1) conceptually replicate Shteynberg's (2010; JPSP) finding that seeing the same (versus different) stimuli alongside an in-group member enhances memory, and (2) test whether mere co-attention enhances memory, absent the group manipulation.