Are Retrievals from Long-Term Memory Interruptible?

Many simple performance parameters about human memory are not well-understood. One such parameter is how the cognitive system handles interruption at a relatively low level. This research is an attempt to determine if simple, wellpracticed retrievals from long-term memory can be interrupted by a higher-priority task. An experimental paradigm referred to as a “reverse PRP ” paradigm is introduced, and the results of one experiment in this paradigm reported. The results suggest that retrievals can indeed be interrupted, but that there is an interruption cost