Forgetting

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the study of forgetting, including definitions and methods used to measure it.

Forgetting

The deterioration of performance of learned behavior following a retention interval.

Retention Interval

A period during which learning or practice does not occur.

Free Recall

A method of measuring forgetting that consists of providing the opportunity to perform the learned behavior without prompts.

Prompted Recall

A method of measuring forgetting in which hints are provided to encourage recall of a learned behavior.

Relearning

A method of measuring forgetting that assesses the amount of training required to reacquire a behavior after a retention interval.

Recognition

A method of measuring forgetting that involves identifying previously learned stimuli from a list.

Delayed Matching to Sample

A task that assesses forgetting by requiring identification of a stimulus after a retention interval.

Extinction

A method of measuring forgetting by comparing the rate of extinction of a learned behavior before and after a retention interval.

Gradient Degradation

A method of measuring forgetting indicated by a flattening of the generalization gradient over time.

Ebbinghaus

A researcher who memorized lists of nonsense syllables to study forgetting and relearning.