07b_Forgetting Flashcards
Factors that affect the Accuracy of Memories
Schemas
Memory Construction
Memory construction
People tend to construct memory by combining elements of new information with existing knowledge
Leads to inaccuracies and distortions
e.g., faulty eyewitness testimony
Ebbinghaus’ “forgetting curve”
Most forgetting occurs during the first 4-5 days and then gradually tapers off
Trace Decay Theory
Engram = physiological change in brain produced by learning
Decays over time as a result of disuse
Interference theory:
Overview
Recall of certain information is affected by previous or subsequently acquired information
Retroactive interference
Proactive interference
Interference theory:
Factors that increase likelihood of interference
When old and new information are similar
When task involves recall
When information is unimportant or meaningless
Retroactive interference
New material interferes with the recall of previously learned material
Retroactive = Direction of interference, new on old
Proactive Interference
When prior learning interferes the learning or recall of new material
Proactive = Direction of interference, old affects new
The Cause of Cue-Dependent Forgetting
When retrieval cues for information from long-term memory are insufficient or incomplete
Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon
Associated with cue-dependent forgetting
Due to inadequate retrieval cues
Improving Memory:
Encoding specificity
Improved recall improves with increased similarity between encoding method and cues at recall
Improving Memory:
State-dependent learning
Recall of information improved when learner is in the same emotional state during learning and recall
Why is performance is usually better on measures of recognition than measures of recall?
Recognition items provide more memory retrieval cues
Mnemonics:
Four Techniques
Method of Loci
Keyword method
Acronym
Acrostic
Improving Memory:
Keyword Method
Imagery technique useful for paired association tasks in which two words must be linked
