Metacognitive quality-control processes in memory retrieval and reporting

Quality control in memory retrieval and reporting is achieved both by “back-end” processes designed to identify and screen out defective (false) retrieval products and by “front-end” processes that attempt to prevent the retrieval of false information in the first place. Front-end processes utilize metacognitive knowledge in choosing an appropriate retrieval strategy and in specifying and applying effective and constraining retrieval cues. Back-end processes monitor the correctness of the retrieved information and on that basis, together with strategic considerations concerning the perceived payoffs for accuracy and informativeness, control whether or not to report the retrieved information and if so, at what level of precision to report it. This chapter presents a selective overview of research and theory on these complementary aspects of memory quality control, guided by an overarching metacognitive framework that delineates the underlying metacognitive mechanisms and their potential contributions to the quantity and accuracy of information reported from memory.