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Cited by 2,199Memory Processes and InfluencesMemory and Neural MechanismsCognitive Functions and Memory

A spreading activation theory of memory.

Anderson, John R.·1983·Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior
DOI 10.1016/s0022-5371(83)90201-3
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Crossref · 10.1016/s0022-5371(83)90201-3

Cites

6 of 6 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • This structured organization facilitates efficient retrieval, enabling the brain to selectively access relevant events by navigating a structured network, which helps guide reasoning and planning in new situations.

    “This structured organization facilitates efficient retrieval. It enables the brain to selectively access relevant events by navigating a structured network, which helps guide reasoning and planning in new situations (Anderson, 1983).”

    From Memory Matters More: Event-Centric Memory as a Logic Map for Agent Searching and Reasoning (2026) · cites this paper as Anderson, 1983

  • Humans reason and form associations by following logical connections.

    “In contrast, humans reason and form associations by following logical connections (Anderson, 1983).”

    From Memory Matters More: Event-Centric Memory as a Logic Map for Agent Searching and Reasoning (2026) · cites this paper as Anderson, 1983

  • Human memory retrieval is not a search process, but a propagation of energy; accessing one concept naturally activates semantically, temporally, or causally linked concepts without explicit prompting.

    “which posit that human memory retrieval is not a search process, but a propagation of energy. Accessing one concept naturally activates semantically, temporally, or causally linked concepts without explicit prompting.”

    From Synapse: Empowering LLM Agents with Episodic-Semantic Memory via Spreading Activation (2026) · cites this paper as Anderson, 1983

  • The fan effect models attention dilution.

    “Following ACTR (Anderson, 1983), we incorporate the fan effect to model attention dilution.”

    From Synapse: Empowering LLM Agents with Episodic-Semantic Memory via Spreading Activation (2026) · cites this paper as Anderson, 1983

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Authors
Anderson, J. R.
Affiliations
Carnegie Mellon University (US)
Corresponding author
Anderson, John R.
ORCID
Anderson, John R.
Venue
Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1983-06
Volume
22
Issue
3
Pages
261-295
ISSN
0022-5371 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0022-5371(83)90201-3
OpenAlex
W2082557450
Cited by
2,199
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 61 · 2025: 79 · 2024: 82 · 2023: 92 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 101 · 2018: 100 · 2017: 100 · 2016: 113 · 2015: 106 · 2014: 115 · 2013: 104 · 2012: 85
FWCI
12.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords
spreading activation, act theory, factual memory, memory retrieval, cognitive units, memory networks, interference, practice effects, recall versus recognition, elaborative processing

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