Work

Young adults’ self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategy use during free recall of unrelated words from episodic memory.

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Numerous episodic memory research studies have shown that young adults use self-initiated intentional strategies to encode verbal stimuli and that self-initiated intentional encoding strategy use plays a significant role in memory performance. However, the types, frequency, and effectiveness of self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategies that young adults use during free recall of verbal stimuli from episodic memory have not been systematically investigated. The goals of this study were to (a) systematically examine the types and frequency of self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategies that young adults use to recall individually presented unrelated words and to (b) investigate whether use of self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategies during free recall could benefit memory for individually presented unrelated words in addition to use of self-initiated intentional memory strategies during encoding. Young adults intentionally encoded individually presented unrelated words, completed a free recall memory assessment, and made retrospective open-ended and frequency rating scale encoding and retrieval strategy reports. Several types of self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategies were reported. Ninety-seven and one hundred percent of participants reported using at least one self-initiated systematic intentional memory retrieval strategy in their open-ended and frequency rating scale strategy reports, respectively. Participants reported using individual self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategies to try to recall 10%-59% of words on average. Self-reported use of concept imagery and sentence generation retrieval strategies predicted free recall when controlling for self-reported use of concept imagery and sentence generation encoding strategies, suggesting that use of self-initiated intentional memory retrieval strategies could benefit verbal episodic memory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

Source: Journal of Experimental Psychology Learning Memory and Cognition

DOI: 10.1037/xlm0001527

Authors: Samantha A. Goewert, Melissa L. Stone, Benjamin J. Herstam, Alexander L. Walters, Brenda A. Kirchhoff

Institutions: Saint Louis University, Saint Louis University, UCLouvain Saint-Louis Brussels

Language: English

Topic: Memory Processes and Influences

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Saint Louis University