Final answer:
Semantic encoding is the method for analyzing voxel activation in relation to the meaning or category of a scene, which involves a deeper level of processing facilitated by the left inferior prefrontal cortex and is linked to better recall and memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The second method for analyzing patterns of voxel activation is known as semantic encoding. This approach focuses on the relationship between voxel activation and the meaning or category of a scene. Semantic encoding is more than just the encoding of words; it involves associating words with their meanings, a process which has been shown to facilitate better recall. For example, an experiment conducted by William Bousfield in 1935 illustrated that individuals tend to remember words in categories which suggests attention to meaning during the learning process. Additionally, neuroimaging studies using PET scans have revealed that the prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in semantic tasks, supporting better recall than tasks that are purely perceptual.
Other research findings, including those from studies by Kapur et al. (1994) and Craik et al. (1999), suggest that semantic encoding involves a deeper level of processing than visual or acoustic encoding, often leading to more robust memory formation, especially when the information is personally relevant (self-reference effect). The deeper level of processing here is related to the ability to connect new concepts with existing knowledge, a process facilitated by the left inferior prefrontal cortex during encoding.