Time of Encoding as a Retrieval Cue in Recognition Memory

Abstract

The effect of temporal cues on recognition performance was investigated. Subjects were given two lists of words to learn. In a yes-no recognition paradigm, some test words were preceded by time-of-learning cues. Initial results seemed to provide some support for the hypothesis that temporal cues have a retrieval function in recognition memory. However, in a second experiment, d' and reaction time measures indicated that temporal cues do not benefit recognition performance. The relevance of these results to some models of memory is discussed.