Final answer:
A return to memory in the context of the three-term contingency refers to the retrieval processes of recall, recognition, and relearning, which are essential for retrieving stored information from memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
A return to memory from the perspective of the three-term contingency involves the processes of recall, recognition, and relearning. The first, recall, is the ability to access information without cues, similar to answering essay questions from memory. Recognition is identifying previously learned information when re-encountered, such as recognizing the right answer on a multiple-choice test. Lastly, relearning is faster reacquisition of knowledge that was previously learned, demonstrated when someone picks up a language quickly after not speaking it for years.
Understanding these processes is linked to the study of how the brain encodes, stores, and retrieves memories. For example, the case of a young man with Hodgkin's lymphoma illustrates how brain regions associated with memory can be temporarily impacted by illness, affecting his ability to recall information. Additionally, memories tend to change over time due to transience, and how they are reconstructed can be influenced by biases and new information, leading to potential distortions.