Associative encoding and retrieval: Weak and strong cues.

TLDR: In this article, the effectiveness of retrieval cues depends upon the specific format of the to-be-remembered (TBR) words at the time of their storage, regardless of how strongly the cues are associated with the TBR words in other situations.

Abstract: Data from three experiments are reported in support of the encoding specificity hypothesis of retrieval: the effectiveness of retrieval cues depends upon the specific, format o f encoding of the to-be-remembered (TBR) words at the time o f their storage, regardless of how strongly the cues are associated with the TBR words in other situations. In the critical experimental conditions, TBR words were presented for study in presence of weakly associated cue words, Recall of the TBR words in the presence of these cues was greatly facilitated in comparison with noncued recall; recall of the TBR words in presence of their strongest normative associates, which had not been seen at input, did not differ from noncued recall.