retrieval failure

What is context dependent forgetting (external cues)

Occurs with external retrieval cues with forgetting occurring when the external environment is different at recall from how it was at coding

What is state dependent forgetting (internal cues)

Occurs with internal retrevial cues with forgetting occurring when an individuals internal environment (mood) is dissimilar at recall to when info was coded

Research for state dependent forgetting

Goodwin et al

Studied 48 male medical students across 2 days

Day 1 training day 2 testing

• Group 1 - (ss) sober both days

• Group 2- (aa) drunk both days

• Group 3 - (as) drunk day 1 sober day 2

• Group 4 - (sa) sober day 1 drunk day 2

Results - more errors were made on a day 2 in AS or SA condiction rather in AA or SS because they were in a different psychological state

Research for context dependent forgetting

Godden and baddley:

• Carried out a study of deep sea divers working underwater it is vital for divers to remember instructions underwater when they are working

• Deep sea divers learned a list of words on land or underwater

• Those who learned the list underwater (UW) recalled more accurately UW and those who learned on land recalled more on land when the external cues available at the time of learning were different to ones during recall this leads to 40% Lowe recall

• Recall was best when took in same learning environment

• Task was not ecologically valid

One strength of retrieval failure

P. Face validity

E. It explains the tip of the tongue effect and why when we are given cues it brings memories flooding back

E. Practical applications - police ask EW to describe the context and mood / emotional state they were in when the incident took place

One limitation of retrieval failure

P. Baddley argues effects aren’t actually that strong

E. Different contexts have to be very different indeed before an effect i seen eg:land vs underwater

E. Cues may not be useful to improve exam performance as the info you are learning is related to a lot more than just cues

L. As a result the role of coerce is over estimated