Explanations for forgetting. Flashcards
what is interference theory?
it is when forgetting occurs in LTM because our current learning has been conflicted with by what we previously learned or will in the future. it is because can’t get access to memories. interference is worse when memories are similar as previously stored info make new info difficult to store. new info overwrites previous memory similar
what is the difference between proactive and retroactive interference?
proactive interference- older memory disrupts a new memory.
retroactive interference- newer memory disrupts older memory
what is a strength of interference theory in memory. (McGeoch and McDonald)
findings from McGeoch and McDonald study show that when participants are given list are words to learn and second list consists synonyms, recall was poor when compared to when second list had disimillar words. these supports the theory as when material is similar it is more likely to be forgotten so more similar the info, more likely interference. however there are issues with this research such as lab studies create perfect condition for interference to occur as in real life not similar to remember two similar things. this means research does not show interference, so theory may not explain all instance of forgetting.
what is a limitation of Interference theory?
they use artificial materials, stimulus material often used is word list. make interference more likely in a lab so not everyday cause of forgetting.
What is retrieval failure?
when info is placed in memory, associated cues with environment are stored at same time. so if cues not available at time of recall ,might not be able access memories that are there.
what did Tulving say about encoding specificity principle?
he suggested that cues help retrieval if same cues are presented at encoding( learning material) and at retrieval. closer retrieval is to original cue, better cue is.
what is difference between context-dependent forgetting and state-dependent forgetting?
context-dependent forgetting-when environment of recall is different to environment of encoding or where they learnt it.
state-dependent forgetting- when your mood or physiological state at recall is different to mood you were in while encoding or learning.
what is a strength for retrieval failure, godden and baddeley?
findings from godden and Baddeley study show that divers who learnt a list of words underwater and then recalled the same list also in water remeber more words that those who learnt word underwater and recall list on land. this supports the theory as it shows the encoding specificity principle seems to be correct as when same cue at encoding and recall, forgetting lessens. however, there are issues with this research such as
what is one limitation of retrieval failure?
is that context effects are not very strong in real life. baddeley argued that different contexts have to be very different indeed for a difference to take place. learning something in one room and recalling it in another is unlikely to result in much forgetting as environment not that different. so real life application is limited as doesn’t explain much forgetting.
