Accessing the particular from the general: The power of distinctiveness in the context of organization

Hunt, R. Reed; Smith, Rebekah E.

doi:10.3758/bf03200882

Cited by 100Memory Processes and InfluencesIdentity, Memory, and TherapyCognitive Functions and Memory

Accessing the particular from the general: The power of distinctiveness in the context of organization

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Hunt, R. Reed, Smith, Rebekah E.·1996·Memory & Cognition

DOI 10.3758/bf03200882

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Abstract

Recall is inversely related to the number of items sharing a cue. The limiting case of unique cue-target relationships supports extremely high levels of recall, particularly when the cue is self-generated. This fact is incongruous with the importance assigned to the construct of organization in memory theory. Further, self-generated unique cue-target relationships tend to be idiosyncratic, implying that the power of unique cues should be limited to cases of self-cued memory. The experiments presented here suggest a role for organization that reconciles the fact of unique cue effectiveness with the importance of organization to memory. Two new findings are reported: Unique cue production enhances target encoding; and general cues can access particular encodings. The data are further tribute to the importance of simultaneous organizational and distinctive processing and recommend a new perspective on the function of organization in memory.

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Focusing on higher-order generalities can reduce attention to distinctive details, which can affect later retrieval.
“Identifying the higher-order generalities in information can also lead to an individual paying less attention to distinctive aspects of information, which can be critical in governing the likelihood of later retrieval of that information”
From Enrichment Effects on Adult Cognitive Development: Can the Functional Capacity of Older Adults Be Preserved and Enhanced? (2008) · cites this paper as Hunt & Smith, 1996

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Authors: Hunt, R. R., & Smith, R. E.
Affiliations: University of North Carolina at Greensboro (US)
Corresponding author: Hunt, R. Reed
ORCID: Smith, Rebekah E.
Venue: Memory & Cognition
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 1996-03
Volume: 24
Issue: 2
Pages: 217-225
ISSN: 0090-502X (ISSN-L)
1532-5946
DOI: 10.3758/bf03200882
OpenAlex: W2014088214
Cited by: 100
References: 27
Citations by year: 2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 3 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 5
FWCI: 1.77
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: bronze
doi.org
Licence: www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations: Memory & Cognition (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders: National Institutes of Health (1r15hd025587-01a1)
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (HD25587)
Topics: Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Identity, Memory, and Therapy
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Functions and Memory
Keywords: memory organization, distinctiveness, target encoding, free recall, cue competition, encoding specificity
MeSH terms: Adult, Attention, Concept Formation, Female, Humans, Male, Paired-Associate Learning, Reaction Time, Mental Recall, Retention, Psychology, Verbal Learning

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Accessing the particular from the general: The power of distinctiveness in the context of organization

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