Constraints on Access: Costs and Benefits (Spontaneous Memory for Relevant Experiences)
Abstract
This research note describes a program examining the phenomena of spontaneous access, using different nondirected access paradigms. When presenting subjects with a potential transfer task following some acquisition experience where spontaneous access is impeded, later access to the acquisition experience can be disrupted. The processes that people engage in during the first transfer test are re-invoked during a second test, and this interferes with retrieval of acquisition information even when people are explicitly directed to try to retrieve the original information. Furthermore, this interference is quite specific to information in the first transfer test. Successful spontaneous access and use of prior acquisition experiences are facilitated in situations that initiate the transfer appropriate processing principle. Problem-oriented processing during acquisition enhances subsequent problem solving in cases where fact-oriented processing of the same acquisition information does not. Work with the classification paradigm provides further support for the importance of transfer appropriate processing in spontaneous access. The findings indicate that only similarity in the situational conditions, but -- at least as importantly -- similarity in people's intentions and actions are vital to successful access.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA208562
Entities
People
- Jeffery J. Franks
- John D. Bransford
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University