A reevaluation of a number of experiments suggests that normal and retarded persons differ on short-term memory tasks from the time of initial stimulus exposure. The hypothesis that memory differences are due to differential encoding as a result of more adequate rehearsal by the normal subjects is unacceptable. (Author/BW)

Individual differences in retention, with an emphasis on their relationship with learning speed and other cognitive factors, were studied in 685 military recruits. In all of the forgetting conditions, the fastest learners remembered more and relearned faster. Results support the existence of individual differences in retention. (SLD)

A directed forgetting task was used in an investigation of the conditions under which normal and educable mentally retarded junior high school students would disregard irrelevant information. Results showed that irrelevant information in memory interfered with the performance of only the retarded group, when given a minimal explanation of the…

In a synthesis of concepts from communication, comprehension, and socialization of intelligence, it is suggested that strategy adoption is dependent on the prior learning of the "situated meaning" for tasks requiring the use of memory strategies. In this view, strategy deficiencies in the mentally retarded arise from an impoverished learning…

The theoretical and methodological concepts for research on aptitudes as cognitive processes are discussed. Individual differences constructs are reviewed in relation to cognitive processing models, and studies of short-term memory are reviewed. A coordinated approach to the study of aptitude as information processing is recommended. (Author/RD)

Available from: Ablex Publishing Corporation, 355 Chestnut Street, Norwood, New Jersey 07648. Two groups (high and low functioning) of educable mentally handicapped children consisting of 70 Ss' average age 127 months' were tested for strategies in their approach to memory and problem solving tasks and for their responsiveness to strategy…

Mildly retarded children were instructed in encoding strategies or rehearsal strategy. Performance was higher for semantic encoding strategies. Seven months later the semantic condition also showed greater improvement after strategies were prompted. Performance on incidental learning tasks was enhanced for 13- but not 10-year olds. (Author/RD)

Retarded and nonretarded persons were compared on a task designed to preclude the use of cognitive strategies. Results suggest the possible importance of automatic processing deficiencies and invite a reconsideration of the idea that the relationship between intelligence and memory is due entirely to effortful processes. (LMO)