Chapter 8 - Forgetting

Question 1

Define Forgetting

Answer 1

The inability to access or recover information previously stored in memory.

Question 2

Define Forgetting Curve

Answer 2

Shows the pattern (rate and amount) of forgetting that occurs over time.

Question 3

What doe the Forgetting Curve show?

Answer 3

• That forgetting is rapid soon after the original learning
• The rate of memory loss declines
• More than half the memory occurs within the first hour after learning
• Virtually all the information that will be lost will be forgotten within the first 8 hours.

Question 4

What are the 4 Theories of Forgetting?

Answer 4

• Retrieval Failure Theory
• Interference Theory
• Motivated Forgetting
• Decay Theory

Question 5

Define Retrieval Cue

Answer 5

Any stimulus that assists the process of locating and recovering information stored in memory.

Question 6

Define Retrieval Failure Theory

Answer 6

Proposes that we sometimes forget because we lack or fail to use the right cues to retrieve information stored in LTM.

Question 7

Why may Retrieval Failure occur?

Answer 7

• Failure to access certain anxiety-laden memories
• Disrupted or lost memories as a consequence of brain trauma or a neurodegenerative disease
• Memories interfering with one another

Question 8

Define the Tip-of-the-Tongue Phenomenon

Answer 8

A state, or ‘feeling’, that occurs when your are awake of knowing something, and confident you will eventually remember it, but you are not able to retrieve it from memory at that time.

Question 9

Define Interference Theory

Answer 9

Proposes that forgetting in LTM occurs because other memories interfere with the retrieval of what we are trying to recover, particularly if the other memories are similar.

Question 10

Define Retroactive Interference

Answer 10

When new information interferes with the ability to remember old information. Confuse your old phone number with your new phone number.

Question 11

Define Proactive Interference

Answer 11

Information learned previously can interfere with our ability to remember new information. Calling your new girlfriend your old girlfriend’s name.

Question 12

Define Motivated Forgetting

Answer 12

Describes forgetting that arises from a strong motive or desire to forget, usually because the experience is too disturbing or upsetting to remember.

Question 13

What are the 2 types of the Interference Theory?

Answer 13

• Proactive Interference

- Retroactive Interference

Question 14

What are the two types of Motivated Forgetting?

Answer 14

• Repression

- Supression

Question 15

Define Repression

Answer 15

Unconsciously blocking a memory of an event or experience from entering conscious awareness/

Question 16

Define Suppression

Answer 16

Involves being consciously motivated to forget an event or experience by making deliberate conscious effort to keep it out of awareness.

Question 17

Define Decay Theory

Answer 17

Proposes that forgetting occurs because the neural representation of a memory fades through disuse as time passes, unless it is reactivated by being used occasionally.