How prior knowledge and statement truth affect retrieval experiences over time

Bibliographic Data

ID14947670
AuthorsRaunak M Pillai (0000-0002-2677-1220, Vanderbilt University, corresponding author), Suha Arshad (0009-0009-5663-3206, Vanderbilt University), Lisa K Fazio (0000-0002-0415-4862, Vanderbilt University)
Year2026
Volume34
Issue1
Pages96-112
Publication date2026-01-02
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueMemory (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0965-8211 • E-ISSN: 1464-0686
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09658211.2025.2584452
PMID41195859
OpenAlexW4415959677
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited34

When retrieving information, people often shift over time from "Remembering" high levels of detail about a study episode to simply "Knowing" the information absent such detail. This "Remember-Know" shift is well-documented for true information, and recent work suggests that this effect exists, but is attenuated, for false information. One explanation for this difference is that true information is better represented in people's prior knowledge, supporting retention of this content as "Known" over time. In this registered report we tested this hypothesis by measuring people's reported retrieval experiences (e.g., "Remembering" or "Knowing") for true and false information at two levels of anticipated prior knowledge. While we replicate the "Remember-Know" shift, we do not find that it differs by anticipated prior knowledge. We also examine the relation between retrieval experiences and the production of encountered information, as well as the impact of repeated testing on retrieval experiences

Question answering · Replicate · Educational Strategies and Epistemologies · Information Retrieval and Search Behavior · Memory Processes and Influences

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access