Explainations for forgetting: Retreival failure

Question 1

What is retrieval failure

Answer 1

• Retrieval failure is not being able to access memories that are there
• It occurs when we dont have the necessary cues to access memory

Question 2

What is a cue

Answer 2

• A trigger of information that allows us to access a memory
• Cues can be meaningful or indirectly linked to the information

Question 3

What is encoding specificity principle

Answer 3

A cue that is present at encoding and at retrieval that helps you recall information

Question 4

What is context dependent forgetting`

Answer 4

• Aspects of the external environment work as cues to memory(e.g.sounds and smells).
• So being in different places would inhibit memory as we would lack environmental cues

Question 5

What is state dependent cues

Answer 5

• Aspects of our internal environment work as cues to memory (e.g.emotions drugs).
• So being in different emotional state would inhibit memory as we would lack state dependent cues

Question 6

Two people carrying out a study on divers testing for context dependent forgetting (4)

Answer 6

• Godden and Baddeley(1975) studied divers asking them to learn new material either on dry land or while underwater then tested either on dry land or water.
• it was found that recall was worse in different context and best if same.
• For example information that was learnt under the water was recalled best under the water
• This suggests that being in the same environment for both learning and recalls aids recall by providing context cues

Question 7

Testing for state dependent cues with ppts either drunk or sober (5)

Answer 7

• Overton(1972) asked participants to learn material either drunk or sober.
• Then tested them on this information when they were drunk or sober.
• It was found that recall was worse if in different internal state and best in the same internal state.
• For example information that was learnt drunk will be recalled best drunk.
• This suggests being in the same state for both learning and recall aids recall by providing state dependent cues

Question 8

What is category/organisational cues

Answer 8

Providing cues that relate to the organisation/category of memories may aid recall, as it is easier to find a file if the draws are labelled.

Question 9

Category/organisation dependent cue ao3 (4)

Answer 9

• Tulving and Pealstone (1966) Asked participants to learn 48 words.
• The participants either used free recall or recall to match 12, 4 word categories.
• It was found that participants recalled significantly more in category condition.
• This suggests the categories agreed as cues and aiding recall