retrieval-dependent processing
nounUK /rɪˈtriːvl dɪˈpɛndənt ˈprəʊsɛsɪŋ/
US /rɪˈtriːvl dɪˈpɛndənt ˈprɑːsɛsɪŋ/
Thinking that only works when you can remember something first.
Remembering a friend's name before you can say hello to them is retrieval-dependent processing.
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OTHER MEANINGS
2. In psychology, mental work that starts by pulling stored information from memory.
The test measured retrieval-dependent processing by asking students to recall facts before solving problems.
3. In computing, a way of handling data that needs information fetched from storage before it can continue.
The program used retrieval-dependent processing to load the saved file before editing it.
4. A learning approach where remembering something is the first step to using it.
Flashcards train retrieval-dependent processing because you must recall the answer before checking it.