Two experiments examined the development of recollection (recalling qualitative details about an event) and familiarity (recognizing the event) using the dual-process signal detection model. In Experiment 1 (n = 117; ages 6, 8, 10, 14, and 18 years), recollection improved from childhood to adolescence after semantic encoding but not after perceptual encoding and familiarity improved from ages 6 to 8 regardless of encoding condition. In Experiment 2 (n = 56; ages 6, 8, and 10 years), long duration compared to short duration of semantic encoding increased familiarity but not recollection. Age-related differences replicated those of Experiment 1, except no age difference in familiarity was found with long study duration. Overall, recollection and familiarity showed distinct developmental and functional characteristics. The dual-process signal detection model proved promising for developmental investigations.

The development of subjective recollection was investigated in participants aged 6-18 years. In Experiment 1 (N = 90), age-related improvements were found in understanding of the subjective experience of recollection, although robust levels of understanding were observed even in the youngest group. In Experiment 2 (N = 100), age-related differences were found in subjective recollection during a memory task, suggesting development not only in the ability to reflect on memory states, but also in the informational basis of subjective recollection. Lower understanding of memory states was associated with increased propensity to claim recollection. These results indicate that subjective recollection develops considerably during childhood and suggest that the development of metamemory supports this capacity.

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