retrieval failure

what is retrieval failure?

where a memory is available but not accessible due to absence of cues

what is a cue?

a trigger that enables access to memories

what is context dependent memory? how is this linked to retrieval failure?

• the external context in which info is learned serves as a retrieval cue

• when the context in which something is learned differs from the context in which something is recalled, retrieval failure can occur

what is state dependent memory? how is this linked to retrieval failure?

• the internal state in which info is learned serves as a retrieval cue

• when the state in which something is learned differs from the state in which something is recalled, retrieval failure can occur

summarise Godden and Baddeley (1975):

• field study investigating context-dependent memory

• ppts given word list to recall w/ 4 conditions - land-land, water-water, land-water and water-land

• accurate recall 40% lower in non matching conditions

summarise Carter and Cassaday (1998):

• lab exp investigating state dependent memory

• used antihistamines

• ppts given word lists to call w/ conditions: drug-drug, no drug-drug, drug-no drug, no drug-no drug

• mistmatched conditions → ppts performed worse

summarise Aggelton and Waskett (1999):

• field exp investigating smell as a context dependent cue

• took place at Jorvik Museum

• found that the recreations of the Viking smells helped people recall the details of their visit, even after several years