reproductive memory
- noun
- /ˌriːprəˈdʌktɪv ˈmɛməri/
- Specialized
:
memoria reproductiva
- In contrast to reconstructive memory, reproductive memory aims to produce an exact replica of earlier experiences.
Examples
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Eyewitness testimony often assumes reproductive memory, expecting precise recall of events.
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In psychology, reproductive memory refers to the ability to recall information exactly as it was originally encoded.
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Research suggests that reproductive memory is less common than previously believed, as memories are often reconstructed.
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The study focused on reproductive memory in children.
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Can you explain what reproductive memory is?
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Unlike other forms of memory, reproductive memory does not involve the alteration or interpretation of past experiences.
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The experiments examined how well individuals could demonstrate reproductive memory when asked to recall specific details.
Synonyms
2
6.0
The act of remembering and saying or writing something exactly as you learned it
Surface Forms
Morphology
reproductive + memory
The noun phrase is partially compositional: it denotes a type of memory that "reproduces" the original input, so a learner who understands 'memory' and the verb 'reproduce' could infer the general sense. However, 'reproductive' is a technical adjective (and can be confused with biological reproduction), and the precise technical contrast with reconstructive memory requires domain knowledge, so the meaning is not fully predictable to a B1 learner.
Etymology
Reproductive memory uses reproductive in the sense of 'to reproduce', meaning to make a copy. Imagine a photocopier that gives the same page again; reproductive memory is the idea that the mind returns an 'exact copy' of what was seen or heard, not a memory that 'rebuilds' the event from pieces.