Fuzzy-trace theory

Fuzzy-trace theory (FTT) is a theory of cognition originally proposed by Valerie F. Reyna and Charles Brainerd[1] to explain cognitive phenomena, particularly in memory and reasoning.

FTT posits two types of memory processes (verbatim and gist) and, therefore, it is often referred to as a dual process theory of memory. According to FTT, retrieval of verbatim traces (recollective retrieval) is characterized by mental reinstatement of the contextual features of a past event, whereas retrieval of gist traces (nonrecollective retrieval) is not. In fact, gist processes form representations of an event's semantic features rather than its surface details, the latter being a property of verbatim processes.

The theory has been used in areas such as cognitive psychology, human development, and social psychology to explain, for instance, false memory[2] and its development,[3] probability judgments,[4] medical decision making,[5][6][7][8] risk perception and estimation, and biases and fallacies in decision making.[9][10]

FTT can explain phenomena involving both true memories (i.e., memories about events that actually happened) as well as false memories (i.e., memories about events that never happened).[2][11]

  1. ^ Reyna, V.F.; Brainerd, C.J. (1995). "Fuzzy-trace theory: An interim synthesis". Learning and Individual Differences. 7: 1–75. doi:10.1016/1041-6080(95)90031-4.
  2. ^ a b Brainerd, C.J.; Reyna, V.F. (2002). "Fuzzy-trace theory and false memory". Current Directions in Psychological Science. 11 (5): 164–169. doi:10.1111/1467-8721.00192. S2CID 12187609.
  3. ^ Gomes, C.F.A.; Brainerd, C.J. (2012). "Dual processes in the development of reasoning: The memory side of the story". In Gauffroy, J.; Barrouillet, P. (eds.). The Development of Thinking and Reasoning. Psychology Press.
  4. ^ Reyna, V.F.; Brainerd, C. J. (1994). "The origins of probability judgment: A review of data and theories". In Wright, G.; Ayton, P. (eds.). Subjective Probability. Wiley. pp. 239–272.
  5. ^ Reyna, V.F. (2008). "A theory of medical decision making and health: Fuzzy trace theory". Medical Decision Making. 28 (6): 850–865. doi:10.1177/0272989x08327066. PMC 2617718. PMID 19015287.
  6. ^ Reyna, Valerie (2020). "Decision-making About Risk in the Era of the Novel Coronavirus Disease". Chest. 158 (4): 1310–1311. doi:10.1016/j.chest.2020.07.005. PMC 7533718. PMID 33036076. S2CID 222125585.
  7. ^ Reyna, Valerie (2020). "A scientific theory of gist communication and misinformation resistance, with implications for health, education, and policy". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 118 (15): e1912441117. doi:10.1073/pnas.1912441117. PMC 8054009. PMID 32312815.
  8. ^ Reyna, Valerie (2020). "Of Viruses, Vaccines, and Variability: Qualitative Meaning Matters". Trends in Cognitive Sciences. 24 (9): 672–675. doi:10.1016/j.tics.2020.05.015. PMC 7266748. PMID 32600966. S2CID 219181501.
  9. ^ Reyna, V.F.; Brainerd, C.J. (2011). "Dual processes in decision making and developmental neuroscience: A fuzzy-trace model". Developmental Review. 31 (2): 180–206. doi:10.1016/j.dr.2011.07.004. PMC 3214669. PMID 22096268.
  10. ^ Brainerd, C.J.; Reyna, V.F. (2002). "Fuzzy-trace theory: Dual processes in memory, reasoning, and cognitive neuroscience". Advances in Child Development and Behavior. 28: 41–100. doi:10.1016/S0065-2407(02)80062-3. ISBN 9780120097289. PMID 11605365.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fuzzy trace theory and memory development was invoked but never defined (see the help page).