title: Evidence for the contribution of a threshold retrieval process to semantic memory.
abstract: It is widely held that episodic retrieval can recruit two processes: a threshold context retrieval process (recollection) and a continuous signal strength process (familiarity). Conversely the processes recruited during semantic retrieval are less well specified. We developed a semantic task analogous to single-item episodic recognition to interrogate semantic recognition receiver-operating characteristics (ROCs) for a marker of a threshold retrieval process. We fitted observed ROC points to three signal detection models: two models typically used in episodic recognition (unequal variance and dual-process signal detection models) and a novel dual-process recollect-to-reject (DP-RR) signal detection model that allows a threshold recollection process to aid both target identification and lure rejection. Given the nature of most semantic questions, we anticipated the DP-RR model would best fit the semantic task data. Experiment 1 (506 participants) provided evidence for a threshold retrieval process in semantic memory, with overall best fits to the DP-RR model. Experiment 2 (316 participants) found within-subjects estimates of episodic and semantic threshold retrieval to be uncorrelated. Our findings add weight to the proposal that semantic and episodic memory are served by similar dual-process retrieval systems, though the relationship between the two threshold processes needs to be more fully elucidated.
authors: a School of Psychology & Neuroscience , University of St. Andrews , Scotland , UK.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Kempnich
authors: a School of Psychology & Neuroscience , University of St. Andrews , Scotland , UK.
authors: Josephine A
authors: JA
authors: Urquhart
authors: a School of Psychology & Neuroscience , University of St. Andrews , Scotland , UK.
authors: Akira R
authors: AR
authors: O'Connor
authors: b LPNC CNRS 5105 , Université Grenoble Alpes , Saint-Martin-d'Hères , France.
authors: Chris J A
authors: CJ
authors: Moulin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D061212:Memory, Episodic; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D021641:Recognition, Psychology / Q000502:physiology*; D012660:Semantics; D014706:Verbal Learning; D014825:Vocabulary; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Memory; Recollection; Semantic memory; Word recognition