To account for latency in recognition memory, strength theory assumes that latency decreases symmetrically on both sides of the yes-no criterion. Some of the standard criticisms of the theory are presented. To evaluate these criticisms, explicit expressions for the latency distribution and its mean and variance were obtained. On analysis, the criticisms seem to be unwarranted. However, a satisfactory version of strength theory is not simple, and as many as a dozen or so parameters may be required to account for the data.