explanations for forgetting: retrieval failure

Retrieval failure

Inability to access memories that are available to you

• not forgotten memories, just unable to recall them

• Caused by a lack of cues

Encoding specificity principle (tulving 1983)

• if we can use cues to help us remember, they must be present at both encoding and retrieval

• If not, we are likely to forget info

  E.g. keeping the same conditions when revising and in exams (silence, at a desk, not chewing gum)

2 types of cue forgetting

• contextual-dependant forgetting: based on environment

  • external cues, such as the room you are in

  • Recall is easier if you have the same contextual cues

• State dependant forgetting: based on internal state of the person

  • internal cues, such as how you are feeling

  • Recall is easier if you have the same internal cures

Golden and Baddeley- contextual

Aim: what effect the environment has on recall

Method

Divers learners a list of words whilst underwater or on the land. They were then asked to recall these words underwater or on land (created 4 conditions)

Results

Accurate recall was 40% lower in the non-matching conditions

Conclusion

Different conditions increase the chance of retrieval failure- when cues are absent, there is a higher chance of forgetting

Carter and Cassidy- state/internal

Aim: to what effect the internal state of a person has on recall

Method

Participant would learn a list of words whilst underwater the influence of anti-histamines or not. They then recalled the information either still on them or not (created 4 different conditions)

Results

Recall accuracy was significantly worse when there was a mismatch between internal learning state and recall state

Conclusion

Different conditions increase the chance of retrieval failure- when cues are absent, higher chance of forgetting

Strengths of retrieval failure

• Real life studies-

  • carter and cassaday

  • Godden and Baddeley

• Real life application-

  • revising in the same settings as exam

  • Hellos people with dementia/Alzheimers

Weaknesses of retrieval failure

• recall vs recognition (limited explanation)

  • contextual effects may depend on the type of memory- G+B replicated their study but use a recognition test (photograph). There was no contextual-dependant effect (same result)