Explanations for Forgetting (Memory) Flashcards
(20 cards)
Memory Decay
Interference
Retrieval Failure due to absence of cues
Interference
One memory blocks another (disruption). This might result in forgetting one or the other or both.
Proactive interference
Older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories
Retroactive Interference
Newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored
Similarity
Inteference more likely when two pieces of information are similar due to response competition
Time Sensitivity
Interference less likely to occur when there is a large gap between learning
(Retrieval failure) Tulving 1983
If the cues are not present when we come to recall then we find it difficult to retrieve the memory
It is not necessarily because we have forgotten it, but there is a problem with accessing the memory.
Cue Dependent forgetting
Information is in the LTM but forgetting happens due to the absence of appropriate cues encoded at the same time
3 types of cue dependent forgetting
Context Dependent Cues
State Dependent Cues
Category Dependent Cues
Context Dependent Cues
External environment work as cues to memory (sights sounds smells)
State Dependent Cues
Internal environment work as cues to memory (emotions)
Category Dependent Cues
Cues relating to category of memory aids recall
Lack of category cues inhibit recall
Retroactive Inference Evaluation
Schmidts questionnaire to 211 people found the more times an individual moved home, the fewer street names could be recalled
Suggests new street names makes recalling old street names harder
Proactive Inference Evaluation
Greenwood & Underwood gave participants a new 10 word list every 24 hours
Found previously learnt word combinations caused confusion in the coding of later word lists
Interference Negative Evaluations
Only explains forgetting sets of info are similar and learned together close in time
So doesn’t explain day to day examples of forgetting
What did Godden & Baddley find regarding context dependent cues?
Materials learnt underwater or on land
Found with divers that recall was best if they learnt in the same context as they tested
What did Overton find regarding state dependent cues?
Materials learnt drunk or sober
Found recall was best in the same internal state
What did Tulving & Pealstone find regarding category dependent cues?
Participants recalled either 48 words or matched 12 4-word categories
Found ppts recalled significantly more in the category condition
3 positive evaluations of cue dependent forgetting overview
Goddon & Baddley (context dependent cues)
Overton (state dependent cues)
Tulving & Pealstone (category dependent cues)
Negative evaluation cue dependent forgetting
Only explains temporary loss of memory not a permanent loss
