Encoding and retrieval effects of dual sensory-semantic cues

This experiment was designed to explore the relative effects of dual and embedded sensory-semantic retrieval cues (e.g.,GLAMOUR GIRL). Cues and targets shared both first-letter and associative features, only first-letter features, or only associative features. The cues were presented during the single test trial or they were presented during the single study trial and again at test. Finally, subjects in the dual-cue condition were or were not told about the addition of the first-letter contingency. The results indicated that dual were superior to single cues with each feature contributing independently and additively to recall. This dual facilitation was obtained when the cues were shown only at test or during both study and test and regardless of whether or not the subjects were explicitly aware of the additional sensory contingency. These findings were expected and explained by the assumptions of the coding-access-recognition model.