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Recognition failure of recallable words and recognizable words
Journal of Experimental Psychology. Human Learning and Memory
|September 1, 1978
Summary
Recognition failure occurs when memory testing context changes. This phenomenon highlights how retrieval cues impact recall and recognition, influencing memory performance.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Memory Research
- Experimental Psychology
Background:
- The study investigates recognition failure of recallable words, a phenomenon where recallable words are not recognized.
- Existing memory models are examined for their ability to account for context-dependent memory effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore variations in testing modes and cuing contexts to demonstrate recognition failure.
- To analyze how manipulating retrieval cues affects memory performance in recognition and recall tasks.
Main Methods:
- Three experiments were conducted, varying testing modes (cued recall, uncued recall, cued recognition) and cuing contexts.
- Recognition failure was assessed by comparing performance under different testing conditions, with and without distractors.
Main Results:
- Recognition failure of recallable words was demonstrated when a cued recognition test replaced a cued recall test.
- Recall failure of recallable words occurred when an uncued recall test replaced an uncued recognition test.
- The presence of recognition failure was attenuated when the initial recognition test involved cued recognition.
Conclusions:
- Recognition failure phenomena are a specific type of context effect, driven by the manipulation of study cues between testing contexts.
- Memory theories acknowledging context sensitivity are consistent with the observed recognition failure of recallable words.