Part-list cuing as instructed retrieval inhibition

Abstract

The reexposure of a subset of learned material as a retrieval cue can impair recall of the remaining material. Like part-list relearning--the reexposure of learned material for additional learning--this part-list cuing is often assumed to be the result of output order biases at test, caused by the increased strength of the reexposed material. We directly compared the effects of cuing and relearning when controlling for output order biases. In addition, we compared the two forms of reexposure with the effect of part-list retrieval. Both part-list cuing and part-list retrieval reduced recall performance for the remaining material. By contrast, part-list relearning had no such detrimental effect. These results indicate that the effect of reexposure depends on whether material is reexposed as a cue or for relearning, suggesting that part-list cuing reflects an instructional effect. Evidence is provided that part-list cuing leads to instructed covert retrieval of cue items and causes retrieval inhibition of noncue items, similar to how overt retrieval inhibits nonretrieved items.