Effects of category size on cued recall performance following the generate-recognize model

Memory retrieval in recall has been persistently found to follow the generate-recognize model of recall, which deems that items to be remembered must first be generated and then will be subjected to a recognition check prior to output. Additionally, the manipulation of category sizes in cued recall studies has revealed a performance advantage for small over large categories in recall tests. The present study has been designed to determine if the effects of category size on recall can be explained by the generate-recognize model, and to do so by determining the effects of category size on cued recall, generate-only, and generate-recognize test conditions. To confirm adherence to the generate-recognize model, small categories should demonstrate the same performance effects in cued recall and generate-recognize conditions. Furthermore, cued recall performance should be less than or equal to that of generation performance alone, and greater than or equal to generate-recognize performance. Because small categories have been argued to be distinctively processed in category cued recall, and because distinctive processing has been shown to have a large effect on recognition, the performance advantage with small categories should not be revealed in generate-only conditions as no recognition check is involved.