Origins and Mechanisms of Semantic Memory Retrieval Inhibition

Abstract

Retrieval blocks can be induced in semantic memory by a variety of methods, including part-list cuing or priming with information semantically related to a target. Mechanisms underlying retrieval blocks may involve automatic spreading inhibition, but other interfering cognitive processes seem to play a role in this phenomenon as well. The first study attempted to evoke memory retrieval blocks using an indirect means of priming. Subjects studied a part list of United States with their capitols and were asked to recall the capitol of a given state after being primed with a studied or non-studied state. Results showed that studied primes inhibited retrieval more than non-studied primes, indicating that significant retrieval blocks may indeed be induced by indirect means. A new model was devised using a connectionist approach to illustrate one possible means of such retrieval inhibition. In the second study, studied and non-studied capitols were included as the possible primes. The results showed that state primes tended to inhibit retrieval more than capitol primes. To explain this finding, the concept of immediate memory was proposed to explain a possible mechanism underlying the cognitive process of memory retrieval.