| Summary: | It is currently widely accepted that there are at least two types of visual representation used for remembering objects; a viewpoint-dependent representation linked to a specific encounter with an object (exemplar), and a viewpoint-independent representation linked to the category to which an object belongs (generic). Much research has focused on establishing the conditions under which viewpoint-independence is and is not observed, with the underlying assumption being that only one type of visual representation exists for remembering. This thesis presents four experiments in which drawing from memory tasks were used to investigate the conditions under which participants use generic and exemplar visual representations for remembering objects, with the underlying assumption that given both types of visual representations coexist in memory participants have the option regarding which type of visual representation to use for remembering. The combined results of four experiments demonstrate that when both types of visual representation are available participants prefer to use a generic representation for remembering. However, the exemplar visual representation is still available, if required. Furthermore, when an exemplar representation is used for remembering, it is not only more likely to preserve an object's seen orientation but is also more likely to preserve episodic details from the specific encounter with the object.
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