CH:10 Strenghts And Limitations Of Forgetting

Question 0

Forgetting

Answer 0

The inability to retrieve information; may refer to short term or long term memory

Question 1

Decay theory

Answer 1

The theory that memory traces (biological changes) will weaken and disappear if not revisited (LTM). This also applies to sensory memory - decay occurs rapidly and STM if maintenance rehearsal doesn’t occur

Question 2

Forgetting curve

Answer 2

A graph showing loss of memory over time

Question 3

Interference

Answer 3

Difficulties in retrieving information from memory, caused by other material learned either previously (pro-active interference) or subsequently (retro-active interference)

Question 4

Interference theory

Answer 4

A theory of forgetting where one memory inhibits the ability to form another memory

Question 5

Motivated forgetting

Answer 5

Suppression and repression occurs when a person has reason to forget

Question 6

Proactive interference

Answer 6

When previously learnt material inhibits our ability to encode and store new material

Question 7

Repression

Answer 7

A psychological process which automatically and unconsciously prevents emotionally distressing memories from coming into our conscious awareness

Question 8

Retrieval failure theory

Answer 8

Inability to retrieve material due to an absence of the right cues or a failure to use them

Question 9

Retroactive interference

Answer 9

When newly acquired material inhibits our ability to retrieve previously learnt material

Question 10

Suppression

Answer 10

(Motivated forgetting ) conscious refusal to allow memories to occur

Question 11

Tip of the tongue phenomenon

Answer 11

The feeling that something we know is just not available to be recalled from memory. An indication that some forgetting is due to retrieval failure