What is transfer appropriate processing?

Transfer appropriate processing (TAP) is a theory of memory and cognition that suggests that memory performance is better when the processing strategies used during encoding match those used during retrieval. In other words, the likelihood of remembering something is higher when the same mental processes are engaged at both the time of encoding (learning) and retrieval (remembering).

TAP is based on the idea that memory is not a rigid store of information that is simply "retrieved" when needed, but rather a dynamic process that is influenced by various factors, including the context in which information is learned and remembered. In TAP, the emphasis is on how information is processed rather than simply how it is stored.

Several studies have supported the TAP theory, showing that memory performance is indeed better when the processing strategies used during encoding are similar to those used during retrieval. For example, if someone learns information through visual processing and then is asked to recall it using visual cues, their memory performance is likely to be better compared to when different processing strategies are used.

Overall, TAP highlights the importance of considering the context and processing strategies involved in memory encoding and retrieval, and how matching these processes can enhance memory performance.