Age differences in encoding and retrieving details of a pediatric examination

Baker-Ward, Gordon, Ornstein, Larus, and Clubb (1993) showed that recall improves over ages 3-7 for events experienced during a physical examination. We used a joint multinomial model to ask whether the improvement was due to encoding, to retrieval, or to likelihood to report. The model fit the Baker-Ward et al. data well and showed that (1) retrieval and reporting cannot be distinguished and (2) the observed effects were due primarily to age-related improvement in retrieval reporting rather than in encoding.