Memory Retrieval

Definition

Memory retrieval is the process of accessing previously encoded and stored information from long-term memory when needed for recall or recognition.

Related terms

Recall vs. Recognition: Recall involves retrieving information without any cues or prompts, while recognition involves identifying previously encountered information among a set of alternatives.

Retrieval Cues:

These are external stimuli or internal thoughts that help trigger memories during the retrieval process.

Encoding Specificity Principle:

This principle suggests that we are more likely to retrieve memories if the context during encoding matches the context during retrieval.