Explanations For Forgetting Flashcards
What is Proactive Interference
When Old existing memories affects attempts to recall something new
What is Retroactive Interference
When Newly learned information affects the recall of existing memories
Explain the Study Keppel and Underwood (1962)
Investigate the effect of proactive interference on LTM. Participants did experiment like Peterson and Peterson, found that participants typically remember more of the trigrams presented first, irrespective of interval length. Suggest proactive interference has occurred.
Explain the study Baddeley and Hitch (1977)
Investigate retroactive interference in everyday memory. Rugby players were asked to recall names of teams they had played, players who had played more games forgot proportionally more games that those who played fewer games. Suggests retroactive interference has occurred.
Outline a strength of proactive and retroactive interference
Retroactive Interference is supported by other researchers such as McGeoch and Mcdonald (1931)
Outline another strength of proactive and retroactive interference
It has real life applications
Outline a limitation of proactive and retroactive interference
An issue with research into both retroactive and proactive interference is that they only provide an insight into one type of forgetting, similar information.
Outline another limitation of proactive and retroactive interference
Interference research is often criticized for being artificial and lacking ecological validity.
What is Context-Dependent Forgetting
Occurs when the environmental cues present at encoding rae absent at time of recall. These variables act as external retrieval cues.
What is State-Dependent Forgetting
Occurs if the internal mental state at the time of encoding (such as mood) or internal physiological state (such as being drunk) is different than at time of recall. These variables act as internal retrieval cues.
Explain the study Godden and Baddeley (1975)
Investigate the effect of contextual cues on recall. Carried out a field experiment with divers, found that recall was higher when conditions were matching, 40% lower in non-matching conditions. Demonstrates Context-Dependent Forgetting, due to environment being similar or dissimilar.
Explain the study Carter and Cassidy (1998)
Investigate state dependent forgetting using anti-histamine drugs. Participants were give drugs at different stages when learning and recalling words. In conditions where there was a mismatch in internal state, performance was worse. Shows state dependent forgetting is more likely to occur when the internal cues at encoding are absent at retrieval
Outline a strength of Context-Dependent Forgetting
They have useful everyday practical applications
Outline a limitation of Context-Dependent Forgetting
Context Effects only occur when memory if tested in certain ways
Outline another limitation of Context-Dependent Forgetting
Lack of control over variables
