The Explanantion for Forgetting + Evaluation - Retrieval Failure

Retrieval failure

This theory suggests that forgetting in LTM occurs from insufficient cues. When memory is placed, associated cues are often stored at the same time. Not being able to access memories that are available

Encoding specificity principle

States that cues must be present at encoding and retrieval. Follows, if the cues are available at coding and retrieval are different there will be some forgetting

Two types of cues

Context dependent forgetting (external) and state dependent forgetting (internal)

Godden and Baddeley (1975)

Context-dependent forgetting

Carter and Cassaday (1998)

State-dependent forgetting

1st strength

P - Retrieval cues can help overcome forgetting in everyday life. E - Cues may not have a very strong effect on forgetting, Baddeley believes they are worth paying attention to. When forgetting something, it is best to recall the environment you were in. L - Shows how research reminds us of strategies used in real life to improve recall

2nd strength

P - A range of research supports retrieval failure. E - Studies show that a lack of relevant cues at recall can lead to context and state dependent forgetting, L - This evidence shows that retrieval failure occurs in real life

A limitation

P - Context effects may depend on the type of memory being tested. E - Godden and Baddeley replicated their study, used a recognition test - participants had to say if they recognised a word from the list. There was no context-dependent effect, performance was the same in all the conditions. L - Suggests that retrieval failure is limited, only applies when you have to recall info