Glossary • 405Recognition memory Identifying a stimulus that was encountered earlier. Stimuli are presented
during a study period and then, later, the same stimuli plus other, new stimuli are presented.
The participants’ task is to pick the stimuli that were originally presented. (6)
Recognition-by-components (RBC) theory A feature-based approach to object perception that
proposes that the recognition of objects is based on three-dimensional features called geons.
See also Geon. (3)
Reconsolidation A process proposed by Nader and others that occurs when a memory is
reactivated. This process is similar to the consolidation that occurs after initial learning,
although it apparently occurs more rapidly. (7)
Recording electrode When used to study neural functioning, a very thin glass or metal probe
that can pick up electrical signals from single neurons. Also see Event-related potential
(ERP). (2)
Reference electrode Used in conjunction with a recording electrode to measure the difference
in charge between the two. Reference electrodes are generally placed where the electri-
cal signal remains constant, so any change in charge between the recording and reference
electrodes reflects events happening near the tip of the recording electrode. (2)
Regularities in the environment Characteristics of the environment that occur frequently.
For example, blue is associated with open sky, landscapes are often green and smooth, and
verticals and horizontals are often associated with buildings. (3)
Rehearsal The process of repeating a stimulus over and over, usually for the purpose of
remembering it, that keeps the stimulus active in short-term memory. (5, 7)
Release from proactive interference A situation in which conditions occur that eliminate
or reduce the decrease in performance caused by proactive interference. See Wickens’
experiment described in Chapter 5. (5)
Reminiscence bump The empirical finding that people over 40 years old have enhanced
memory for events from adolescence and early adulthood, compared to other periods of
their lives. (8)
Remote memory Memory for events that occurred long ago. (7)
Repeated recall Recall that is tested immediately after an event and then retested at various
times after the event. (8)
Repeated reproduction A method of measuring memory in which a person reproduces a stim-
ulus on repeated occasions so his or her memory is tested at longer and longer intervals after
the original presentation of the material to be remembered. (8)
Repetition priming When an initial presentation of a stimulus affects the person’s response to
the same stimulus when it is presented later. (6)
Representativeness heuristic The probability that an event A comes from class B can be
determined by how well A resembles the properties of class B. (13)
Restructuring The process of changing a problem’s representation. According to the Gestalt
psychologists, restructuring is the key mechanism of problem solving. (12)
Retina A network of neurons that lines the back of the eye. The transformation of light into
electrical signals and the initial processing of visual information occur in the retina. (2)
Retrieval The process of remembering information that has been stored in long-term
memory. (5, 7)
Retrieval cues Cues that help a person remember information that is stored in memory. (7)
Retroactive interference When more recent learning interferes with memory for something
that happened in the past. See also Proactive interference. (8)
Retrograde amnesia Loss of memory for something that happened prior to an injury or
traumatic event such as a concussion. See also Anterograde amnesia. (6)
Reverse acrobat problem A modification of the acrobat problem that is used to show how the
way a problem is stated can influence its difficulty. (12)
Reverse testing effect Taking a recall test right after witnessing an event increases a partici-
pant’s sensitivity to subsequently presented misinformation. (8)
Risk aversion The tendency to make decisions that avoid risk. (13)
Risk aversion strategy A decision-making strategy that is governed by the idea of avoiding
risk. Often used when a problem is stated in terms of gains. See also Risk-taking
strategy. (13)
Risk-taking strategy A decision-making strategy that is governed by the idea of taking risks.
Often used when a problem is stated in terms of losses. See also Risk aversion strategy. (13)33559_14_glossary_p391-410.indd 40533559_14_glossary_p391-410.indd 405 13/04/10 5:47 PM13/04/10 5:47 PM
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