Free-recall performance as a function of input cue accessibility

• Published in: Journal of Experimental Psychology : Human Learning and Memory 1975-11, Vol.1 (6), p.764-771
• Main Authors: Schwarz, Werner, Salzberg, Philip M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cues; Free Recall; Human; Word Associations
• ISSN: 0096-1515; 0278-7393; 2327-9745; 1939-1285
• DOI: 10.1037/0278-7393.1.6.764

A list of 28 unrelated words was presented to 128 undergraduates with or without associated input cues on a single trial and was tested for free and cued recall. Accessibility of the cues was manipulated by having Ss learn none, half, or all of the cues prior to presentation of the word list. Relative to uncued-input control groups the non-cues condition produced poorer free recall, and the all-cues condition exhibited enhanced free recall. Furthermore, the half-cues conditions showed a diminished reduction in free recall compared to the non-cues group, free recall comprising primarily those words whose corresponding cues had been prelearned. Results demonstrate the Ss' covert use of input cues during free recall and indicate that the reduction in free recall with cued input is due to reduced accessibility of E-provided input cues compared to cues generated by the Ss.