explanation for forgetting: retrieval failure

Created by: hope2003
Created on: 02-03-20 18:48

define retrieval failure

form of forgetting when we don't have the right cues to access information. memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided.

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define cue

a trigger of information that allows us to access a memory.

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characteristics of a cue

meaningful or indirectly linked by being encoded at the time or learning. external (environmental) or internal (mood or state)

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encoding specificity principle

tucking (1983) if a cue was to help recall information it had to be present at encoding and retrieval. some cues are linked in a meaningful way (mnemonic technique) some cues aren't meaningful (context/state dependant)

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context dependant forgetting

Godden and Baddeley (1975) - deep sea divers underwater learnt list in 4 conditions :learn land recall water, learn land recall land, learn water recall land, learn water recall water. recall was 40% lower when conditions didn't match

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state dependant forgetting

Carter and cassaday (1998) - gave antihistamine to change state from normal to less alert. learn in 4 condition: learn on drug recall off frug, learn on drug recall on drug, learn off drug recall on drug, learn off drug recall off drug. same result

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main evaluation of retrieval failure

supporting evidence, questioning context effects, recall v recognition, real life applications, problem with ESP

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evaluation of retrieval failure - supporting evidence

Eysenck (2010) - main reason for forgetting in LTM increasing validity (drug experiment)

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evaluation of retrieval failure - question context effects

Baddeley (1997) context effects aren't very strong, have to be VERY different to see effect

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evaluation of retrieval failure - recall v recognition

golden and Baddeley (1980) replicated underwater experiment but used recognition (word recognition from list) - cues only effect memory if test it in a certain way as no major impact

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evaluation of retrieval failure - real life applications

Baddeley - walk down stairs (forget) walk back up (remember). Basic principle of cognitive interview - recall at crime scene

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evaluation of retrieval failure - problem with ESP

can't be tested leading to a form of circular reasoning. no way to independently establish whether a cue is encoded

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Card 2

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a trigger of information that allows us to access a memory.

Back

define cue

Card 3

Front

meaningful or indirectly linked by being encoded at the time or learning. external (environmental) or internal (mood or state)

Back

Card 4

Front

Back

Card 5

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explanation for forgetting: retrieval failure