In memory research, what does the term “retrieval” refer to?

Retrieval in memory research specifically refers to the process of recalling information that has been previously encoded and stored in the brain. This involves accessing the memory traces formed during the encoding phase and bringing them back to consciousness when needed. Successful retrieval allows individuals to use past knowledge and experiences, answering questions or recognizing familiar stimuli based on stored information.

The retrieval process can be influenced by various factors, including the context in which information was learned and the cues available at the time of recall.

In this context, the other options represent different aspects of memory but do not accurately describe retrieval. For instance, storing information pertains to the encoding phase, forgetting describes the loss of access to stored information, and receiving information is related to the initial encoding phase where new data is taken in by an individual.