The role of recall time in producing hypermnesia

In 2 experiments, 100 & 24 Ss presented with either words or pictures showed improved recall over three successive recall tests for both types of materials, partially replicating H. M. Erdelyi's & J. Becker's finding of hypermnesia ("Hypermnesia for Pictures: Incremental Memory for Pictures but not Words in Multiple Recall Trials," Cognitive Psychology, 1974, 6, 159-171). However, these Ss did not recall more unique items than other Ss who received only one test equated in time with the 3 shorter ones. It is concluded that hypermnesia results from simply allowing Ss additional recall time. In a third experiment Ss were shown to recall additional information even after a long recall period employed during an experimental session. This surprising amount of item recovery during long recall periods is attributed to the use of subjective retrieval cues thought to function in a manner analogous to externally manipulated cues. 1 Table, 7 Figures. Modified HA