Lesson 9: Forgetting; Retrieval Failure Theory

Question 1

Retrieval failure AO1

Answer 1

• retrieval failure argues that forgetting occurs in the absence of appropriate retrieval cues
• when info is initially placed in memory, data associated with this memory is stored simultaneously
• if the cues aren’t available at the time of recall, it may make it appear as if you have forgotten the info when in fact you just cannot access it at that time
• some retrieval cues are remembered in meaningful ways e.g. anagrams
• others are coded at the same time of learning but not in a meaningful way

Question 2

Context cues

Answer 2

• if you recall information in the same environment you learned it in, your recall will be better
• if you are not in the same context at retrieval as you were at coding then forgetting can occur

Question 3

State cues

Answer 3

• an individuals physical state can affect their recall
• research suggests recall is facilitated if people have a similar physical state at recall as when information was coded
• if not in same state, forgetting may occur

Question 4

Positives of retrieval failure

Answer 4

• Abernethy for context dependent cues- tested participants recall using a mixture of familiar and unfamiliar instructors in teaching rooms. Pps tested by a familiar instructor, in a familiar room, performed the best because the instructor and room acted as retrieval cues.
• Godden and Baddeley for context dependent cues- asked divers to learn and recall lists on either dry land or underwater. Words learnt and recalled in the same context were better remembered as there were retrieval cues to aid their recall.
• Darley et al for state dependent cues- found that pps who hid money in a large warehouse under the influence of cannabis were more likely to recall the hiding place when in a similar drugged state.
• Retrieval failure has practical applications- whenever possible, students should study for an exam in the room in which they will take their final exams.

Question 5

Negatives of retrieval failure

Answer 5

Baddeley argues that the influence of retrieval cues is not actually very strong. In real life, we often recall something in a different context to where we learnt it e.g. gcse students dont often take exams where they studied.

Retrieval cues do not always work since our learning is related to a lot more than just cues- also many research carried out tends to focus on word lists or passages which lacks ecological validity.