Retrieval Failure (Forgetting) Booklet 7

Explain what is meant by retrieval failure (due to absence of cues)

The material to be recalled is available but not accessible because of a lack of suitable cue,

What is meant by “context dependent forgetting “?

Ability to recall a memory is reduced due to the place we are in when encode that new memory, being different to the location we are in when we must retrieve that memory.

What is meant by “state dependent forgetting “?

Ability to recall a memory is reduced due to the state we are in when encode that new memory, being different to the state we are in when we must retrieve that memory.

What is meant by the “encoding specificity principle”?

This states that a cue that helps us recall information has to be present at encoding and at retrieval. If it isn’t, forgetting can occur.

Describe the procedure and findings of Godden and Baddeley’s study

Procedure:

• Studied recall in divers

• Divers learned and recalled list of words in 4 conditions

1. Land → Water

2. Land → Land

3. Water → Land

4. Water → Water

Findings:

• Recall was best when place of learning and recall was the same.

How do the findings of Godden and Baddeley’s study support the effects of retrieval failure on memory?

It demonstrates that the context (place) acts as a cue for recall. When context is different at recall forgetting occurs due to lack of cue.

Why might the effects of retrieval failure be exaggerated in Godden and Baddeley’s study?

The 2 conditions are extremely different (very different contexts so exaggerates the effects of retrieval failure)

Describe the procedure and findings of Goodwin et al. 1969’s study

Procedure:

• Studied recall of volunteers using variety of tasks (such as word association and picture recognition)

• Participants learned and recalled in 4 conditions

1. Sober → Sober

2. Sober → Drunk

3. Drunk → Sober

4. Drunk → Drunk

Findings:

• Group 1 and group 4 performed the best

• Due to their internal state being the same at learning and recall

How do the findings of Goodwin et al 1969 support the effects of state dependent forgetting on memory?

The study shows that internal state acts as a cue for recall, so if the state is different at learning and recall this leads to retrieval failure.

How does research into effects of retrieval failure have useful real life application?

Abernathy found that students do better in exams if they take them in the room where they did their learning.

Why might research into factors affecting EWT have limited application to real life?

Many things we learn are complicated and multi-faceted and single cues are rarely effective in helping us to remember them.

Why is the “Encoding specificity principle” difficult to test?

Can’t always be sure that forgetting has occured due to lack of cue.