How can a vivid image be described? Characteristics influencing vividness judgments and the relationship between vividness and memory

Conducted 4 experiments with 113 university students. In Exp 1, in which Ss generated images using 1 of 6 characteristics (color, context, detail, genericity, saliency, and shape and contour) at a time, their overall vividness ratings were not influenced by the characteristics, while recall was enhanced by color. In Exp 2, Ss created 6 images for each item, each with a specific characteristic. The most frequent characteristics associated with recalled items were saliency, context, and color. Exp 3 assessed the contribution of the 6 characteristics when they were all present in the same image. Higher vividness ratings corresponded to better recall. In Exp 4, Ss created images first, enriched them by adding the characteristics one at a time, then rated image vividness. Results show that different characteristics are related to the experience of image vividness.