Explanations for forgetting - Retrieval failure

What is retrieval failure?

When you don't have the necessary cue to access the memory

What are the 2 explanations for forgetting?

Interference

Retrieval failure

Cues need to be the same when

memory encoded and memory retrieved

Why do we forget according to retrieval failure?

The cue for the memory when it was encoded is not same when retrieved

What are the 2 types of cues?

Context dependant

State dependant

What is a context dependant cue?

External cues

What is a state dependant cue?

Physical + emotional state when memory was encoded

Who did a study on context cues?

Godden + Baddeley (1975)

When did Godden + Baddeley research context cues?

1975

Who researched context cues in 1975?

Godden + Baddeley

What type of experiment was Godden + Baddeley (1975)?

Feild experiment

What was the aim of Godden + Baddeley (1975)?

Investigate if memory for words learnt and recalled in same environment was better than it in different environments

Method of Godden + Baddeley (1975)

-Divers learnt a list of words either on land or in water

-Asked to recall words either on land or water creating 4 conditions

How many conditions were there in Godden + Baddeley (1975)?

4

Findings of Godden + Baddeley (1975)

Accurate recall 40% lower in non-matching conditions

How much lower was recall in non-matching conditions of Godden + Baddeley (1975)?

40%

Conclusions of Godden + Baddeley (1975)

Recall was 40% lower in non-matching conditions because same cues weren't available

To remember info we have to recall info in same environment we learnt it

Who researched state dependant cues?

Carter + Cassaday (1998)

What did Carter + Cassaday (1998) study?

State dependant cues

When did Carter + Cassaday study state-dependent cues?

1998

What type of experiment was Carter + Cassaday (1998)?

Lab experiment

What was the aim of Carter + Cassaday (1998)?

Investigate whether being in a different psychological state has an impact on accuracy of memory

Carter + Cassaday (1998) method

1.Gave anti-histamines coz of their mild sedative effect to create a different psychological state

2. Ps had to learn list of words and prose then recall with 4 different conditions

What were the different conditions in Carter + Cassaday (1998)?

Learn on drug recall on drug

Learn on drug recall not on drug etc

How many conditions were there in Carter + Cassaday (1998)?

4

Why did Carter + Cassaday (1998) give the Ps anti-histamines?

Mild sedative effect to create a different psychological state

Findings of Carter + Cassaday (1998)

Mismatched internal states lead to significantly worse performance

Conclusion of Carter + Cassaday (1998)

Absent cues = more forgetting