Cross-modality priming in stem completion reflects conscious memory, but not voluntary memory.

A comparison of incidental and intentional stem-completion tests confirmed that cross-modality priming occurs when performance conforms completely to the retrieval intentionality criterion, indicating involuntary-not voluntary-retrieval in the incidental test. However, an on-line measure of awareness in the incidental test, and a process-dissociation analysis of the intentional test, indicated only within-modality, but not cross-modality, transfer of involuntary retrieval that is unaccompanied by memorial awareness. These results imply that conscious memory should not be equated with voluntary retrieval, and unconscious memory should not be equated with involuntary retrieval, because involuntary retrieval can be accompanied by memorial awareness.