Final answer:
The phenomenon in question is known as the tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon, a form of retrieval failure where a person cannot fully recall information despite feeling close to remembering it. It can occur due to interference and encoding failures, and is associated with recall and recognition processes in semantic memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon referred to in the question is known as the tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) phenomenon, which is a type of retrieval failure in memory processes. When a person experiences TOT, they feel as though they can almost remember the desired information, but are unable to fully retrieve it. This often involves recalling certain aspects, like the sound of a word, but not being able to remember the word itself. Research indicates that this can occur due to various reasons such as interference, wherein new information inhibits the retrieval of old information (retroactive interference), or old information blocks new information (proactive interference).
During the retrieval process, information from long-term memory is accessed through recall or recognition. Recall is the retrieval of information without cues, while recognition involves identifying previously learned information with the help of cues. A failure in the encoding process — the initial learning of information — can lead to retrieval issues since the information was never properly stored in the memory (encoding failure). Semantic memory, a type of declarative memory, involves the knowledge of words, concepts, and facts which might be implicated in TOT when the semantic association is inaccessible.