Recognition failure: Another case of retrieval failure

Abstract

A theoretical explanation of the phenomenon of recognition failure (failure to recognize items that can be recalled) is presented in terms of the dual access theory of recognition, which distinguishes between presentation codes and conceptual (retrieval) codes. In the paired-associate paradigm, retrieval involves access to the pair as a unit, which is holistically coded. As predicted by the theory, recognition failure is reduced when a more stringent recognition criterion is used, specific item pairs are more subject to recognition failure than others, and recognition failure is essentially eliminated when the proper access test (backward retrieval) is used and significantly reduced when variability in recognition performance is taken into account. These results were extended to an experimental paradigm that investigated performance at steady state.