title: Electrophysiological dissociation of retrieval orientation and retrieval effort.
abstract: The neural correlates of retrieval orientation-the differential processing of retrieval cues according to the form of the sought-for information-and retrieval effort were investigated in a factorial design. ERPs elicited by test words were recorded during four recognition memory tests. Orientation was manipulated by varying study material: The study phases preceding two of the tests employed pictures, whereas the study phases preceding the other two tests employed words. Effort was manipulated by varying difficulty, using a combination of the variables of length of study list and study-test interval. ERPs elicited by correctly classified new test words were sensitive to both the study material and, to a much lesser extent, the difficulty of manipulations. Whereas difficulty effects onset early and were short-lived, the effects of study material onset later, extended for several hundred milliseconds, and did not vary according to difficulty. It was concluded that retrieval orientation exerts a major influence on the processing of recognition memory test items.
authors.affiliation: University College London, England.
authors.forename: William G K
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Rugg
mesh_terms: D003463:Cues; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D021641:Recognition, Psychology