FIGURE 3.4 Oscillator model of order recall. Ordered recall of a series of items is achieved through a dynamic process in which each item (item vector) is associated with a control node or state (learning-context vector) and a background level of activity (oscillators). Retrieval of the sequence of items, therefore, depends on activation of the control states associated with each of these items and the specific background level of activity for these items. Each control state for a particular item embodies information related to the context of the learning situation for that item. The strength of association between the control state for an item and later items in the sequence becomes progressively weaker through the series of items. The background activity for an item can be influenced by such factors as the amount of rehearsal devoted to an item, the degree of attention used during learning, and (in the case of words) the imagery value. Oscillator models explain a number of error patterns in ordered recall such as those based on similar coding of items. Brown et al. (2000). Reprinted with permission.