FUZZY-TRACE THEORY - AN INTERIM SYNTHESIS

We review the current status of fuzzy-trace theory. The presentation i s organized around five topics. First, theoretical ideas that immediat ely preceded the development of fuzzy-trace theory are sketched. Secon d, experimental findings that challenged those ideas (e.g., memory-rea soning independence, the intuitive nature of mature reasoning) are sum marized. Third, the core assumptions that comprised the initial versio n of fuzzy-trace theory are described. Fourth, some modifications to t hose assumptions are explored that were necessitated by subsequent exp erimental findings. Fifth, four areas of experimentation are considere d in which research under the aegis of fuzzy-trace theory is in progre ss: (a) suggestibility and false memories; (b) judgment and decision m aking; (c) the development of forgetting; and (d) the development of r etrieval.