Memory Retrieval

Memory retrieval is the recovery of stored information. The simplest and oldest account assumes that memory retrieval depends only on the state of the memory trace. An alternative to this trace-dependent explanation is cue-dependency that claims retrieval depends on the presence of an effective retrieval cue to access the stored memory. Neither of these views can adequately explain the facts of memory retrieval. Rather, successful retrieval is a constructive process based on an interactive relationship between features of the trace and those of the retrieval cue. Such a context-sensitive view provides a better account of common memory phenomena such as retrieval being unsuccessful on one occasion but successful at a later one, and the error-prone nature of retrieved memories.