Chapter 7 – Retrieval Processes

Publisher Summary Processes of learning and memory are typically conceptualized as involving at least three stages: encoding, storage, and retrieval. Retrieval refers to accessing the stored information. Retrieval processes are inextricably bound to those of encoding and storage. This chapter reviews two basic ways of studying retrieval processes: (1) giving retrieval cues during a test and (2) testing people repeatedly with the same cues. The methods of studying retrieval include (1) repeated testing (without intervening study opportunities); (2) presentation of cues at test; (3) judgments made during retrieval; and (4) comparison of different instructions at retrieval. The chapter describes one general principle that is considered as governing retrieval of memories; and presents two other principles that seem to apply. The encoding/retrieval paradigm is introduced that represents a fundamentally important method of studying retrieval processes and their interaction with encoding processes. The chapter then reviews how the encoding/retrieval paradigm has been applied to understand various phenomena; and discusses the effects of prior retrieval on later retrieval.

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