Abstract
Two experiments were conducted, using a paired-associate recall reaction time paradigm, to assess the role semantic knowledge plays in retrieval of long-term episodic memories. In Experiment I, word frequency and meaningfulness were manipulated; high-frequency stimuli led to significantly longer reaction times, while meaningfulness had no significant effect. In Experiment II, the role of the distribution of preexperimental associates of the stimulus was further investigated by comparing retrieval time when the stimulus had either a high- or low-strength primary associate; the former resulted in longer reaction times. The implications of these results for a model of retrieval were discussed. Exhaustive search models were found inadequate, but viable parallel and serial self-terminating models were developed. In both of these models, retrieval time is a function of strength of the correct associate, relative to total strength of a restricted set of semantic associates of the stimulus.
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This research was supported by a National Science Foundation Grant, NSF GU-4041, by a National Institute of Mental Health Grant, MH 25434-01, and a grant for free computer time from the University Computing Center, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
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Perlmutter, J., Harsip, J. & Myers, J.L. The role of semantic knowledge in retrieval from episodic long-term memories: Implications for a model of retrieval. Memory & Cognition 4, 361–368 (1976). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03213190
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03213190