Recognition Memory Exclusion Task Performance but not Preretrieval Target-Selectivity Depends on Schematic Overlap Between Memory Cues and Retrieval Goals

For memory to serve our goals we need to be able to selectively retrieve relevant past events when needed. Research has shown that external memory cues can facilitate selective retrieval when they overlap strongly with the targeted rather than non-targeted memories, i.e., overlap with retrieval goals. However, it is unclear whether cues directly trigger target retrieval or indirectly encourage adoption of a selective retrieval strategy. Here, we examined the effects of cue-goal overlap when manipulated trial-by-trial in a variant of the recognition exclusion task that constrained retrieval strategy. In two preregistered studies, participants studied object images paired with scenes, then at test judged if object names referred to targets (studied with a currently targeted scene) or non-targets (studied with another scene or unstudied). Cue-goal overlap was manipulated in terms of semantic schema congruency between test words and currently targeted scenes. The behavioral study showed that high cue-goal overlap elicited a strong response bias to judge items as targets, with faster target responses. The electroencephalographic event-related potential (EEG-ERP) study revealed that the recollection-related left parietal ERP was target-selective regardless of cue-goal overlap. This suggests that target-selective retrieval can succeed even when external cue overlap with target memories is low, suggesting that goal-directed processes are sufficient at least when overlap with non-targets is also low. Exploratory EEG oscillatory analysis showed a later, post-retrieval, alpha/beta desynchronization for targets that were correctly identified despite low cue-goal overlap. Together, the results point to a strong influence of external cue overlap on post-retrieval source decision processes.