Implications of recovery from experimental amnesia

Examines 2 alternative explanations of experimental amnesia reversal following a noncontingent reminder trial. On the basis of a review of research data, it is concluded that a retrieval failure hypothesis is the more plausible. In either case, both models are predicated on the existence of physiological mechanisms capable of consolidating information in intervals (seconds or fractions of a second) shorter than typical estimates of consolidation times. The generality of retrieval failure as a source of a variety of behavioral deficits is discussed. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved).