C2 - Explanations for forgetting: Retrieval failure

Question 1

Cues + encoding specificity principle

Answer 1

• Lack of cues can cause retrieval failure
• Cues help retrieval if same ones present at both encoding & retrieval
• If cues are different, there will be some forgetting

Question 2

Types of -dependent forgetting

Answer 2

Context-dependent forgetting - recall depends on external cue (e.g. weather)
State-dependent forgetting - recall depends on internal cue (e.g. drunk/upset)

Question 3

Godden & Baddeley - Context-dependent forgetting

Answer 3

Procedure:
Deep-sea divers learned word lists
C1 - Learn on land - recall on land
C2 - Learn on land - recall underwater
C3 - Learn underwater - recall on land
C4 - Learn underwater - recall underwater

Findings:
- Accurate recall lower in conditions 2 & 3
- RF due to absence of encoded cues at time of recall

Question 4

Carter & Cassaday - State-dependent forgetting

Answer 4

Procedure:
Pts learned word listss
C1 - Learn on drug - recall on drug
C2 - Learn on drug - recall off drug
C3 - Learn off drug - recal on drug
C4 - Learn off drug - recall off drug

Findings:
- Recall worse in conditions 2 & 3
- When cues at encoding are absent at retrieval, more forgetting

Question 5

Evaluations of retrieval failure (SSL)

Answer 5

S - Retrieval cues have real-world application
S - Impressive range of supporting evidence
L - Context effects vary in recall & recognition

Question 6

S - Retrieval cues have real-world application

Answer 6

• People go to another room to get item but forget what they wanted, remember again when they go back to original room
• When we have trouble remembering, it’s worth recalling environment in which you first learned it
• Shows how research reminds us of strategies we use in real world to improve recall

Question 7

S - Impressive range of supporting evidence

Answer 7

• Godden & Baddeley and Carter & Cassaday show lack of cues at recall leads to forgetting
• Eysenck & Keane say RF is main reason for forgetting in LTM
• Evidence shows RF due to lack of cues occurs in everyday life & controlled labs

Question 8

L - Context effects vary in recall & recognition

Answer 8

• Godden & Baddeley replicated underwater experiment using recognition test instead
• No context-dependent effect, findings same in all 4 contexts
• RF is a limited explanation for forgetting, only applies when person has to recall info