List organization and rehearsal instructions in recognition memory of retarded adults.

The effects of rehearsal training and categorical list organization on recognition memory of mentally retarded individuals was examined. Retention materials were lists of pictures in four taxonomic categories. During acquisition, subjects saw lists organized according to these categories or lists in which category members were distributed randomly. One-half of the subjects were given cumulative-rehearsal training. The remaining subjects were not given rehearsal training. Subjects who were taught to rehearse made fewer errors on the recognition test than subjects who were not taught to rehearse. List organizations did not affect correct responding. We interpreted the data as support for production-deficiency hypothesis.