Passive Parallel Automatic Minimalist Processing

Research for which the idea that many basic cognitive processes can be described as fast, parallel, and automatic is reviewed. Memory retrieval/decision processes have often been ignored in the cognitive literature. However, in some cases, computationally complex processes can be replaced with simple passive processes. Cue-dependent retrieval from memory provides a straightforward example of how encoding, memory, and retrieval can interact. Three other examples are reviewed: inference in text processing, compound cue models for priming, and implicit memory. In each case, the research benefi ts from a focus on retrieval and decision processes. For implicit memory, consideration of these kinds of processes leads to a view of implicit memory different than hypothesizing new specialized memory systems. Finally, how behavioral data from simple decisions and the models that explain the behavior can be related to neuroscience research on neural fi ring rates are discussed.