Retrieval cues are factors that stimulate the retrieval of information from memory. For example, someone might hear a song on the radio, which might make someone remember some things that happened in the past. The memories can be revoked even when the listener did not want to. The encoding specificity principle determines how the retrieval cue will be effective (Budiu, 2014). The principle states that if the extent of the retrieval cue is the same or more than the memory, the memory will be revoked, and the person will remember it.
Recall is a type of memory retrieval technique in which information is retrieved without any retrieval cues. Recall involves retrieving information that a person does not know how the information ended up in the memory. As compared to recognition, recall uses a higher level of processing. By default, humans have recall as an adaptation (Kowalczyk, n.d). By the use of recall, humans have been able to create complex machines and systems that are used to solve the current problems.
On the other hand, recognition is a memory retrieval which occurs when a person is able to identify some piece of information simply because the person had come across it earlier. This means that unlike recall, recognition requires retrieval cues (Budiu, 2014). Recognition does not need high levels of processing, like recall. An example of recognition is when a student is in an exam room and comes across a question that has multiple choices. The student may not know the correct answer, but by recognizing the list order of the answers, the student can answer the question correctly.
Level of processing refers to the amount of energy that is consumed during the retrieval of information (Kowalczyk, n.d). Different ways of retrieving data use different levels of processing. Recall uses higher levels of processing as compared to recognition.
Explicit memory refers to any information that someone has to remember it consciously. Explicit memory is also referred to as declarative memory. Explicit memory can be subdivided into two categories: semantic and episodic. Semantic is where is the non-biographic memory, which involves remembering things like mathematical formulas. Episodic is a type of explicit memory that involves remembering biographical data such as date of birth (Bennett, 2019). On the other hand, implicit memory refers to any information that is remembered unconsciously. Sometimes, implicit memory is referred to as procedural memory, and it involves things like driving a car, remembering how to dress, and talking. Implicit memory can not be articulated verbally. In implicit memory, tasks are performed step by step in order to complete the tasks.