explanations for forgetting

Question 1

interference theory

Answer 1

interference occurs when 1 part of memory affects recall of information in another part. might result in forgetting or distorting one or both

more likely to occur with two similar types of information (pre-made and new memory are alike)

Question 2

retroactive interference

Answer 2

new things that we learn can cause problems when we try to recall old information.

Question 3

underwood and postman (1960)

Answer 3

aim- find out if new learning interferes with previous learning.
procedure- two groups, everyone same list of word pairs, one group had an extra list after then had to recal 1st list
result- group b recall of first list was more accurate than the recall of group a
conclusion- suggests learning items in second list interfered with participants ability to recall

Question 4

proactive interference

Answer 4

things we already know can cause problems when we try to remember new information

Question 5

baddeley and hitch

Answer 5

aim- to investigate whether forgetting is due to info decay over time or interference of info
procedure- asked rugby players to recall name of teams recently played. most players have missed games
results- found recall for last game was equally good
conclusion- shows incorrect recall was not due to decay but was related to number of intervening games.

Question 6

interference theory
evaluation

Answer 6

+ real life applications
+ ecological validity- Baddley n hitch
+ lab studies- extraneous variables can be controlled. can be replicated
-lack ecological validity: artificial material

Question 7

retrieval failure theory

Answer 7

where and when we learn something can affect our memory. more likely to remember things if context is same.
explains why certain smells or sounds trigger memories- cues
forgotten memories still there but cues are absent

Question 8

state dependent forgetting

Answer 8

forgetting occurs when your mood or physiological state during recall is different from the mood you were in when you were learning

Question 9

context dependent forgetting

Answer 9

forgetting can occur when environment during recall is different from environment you were in when you were learning

Question 10

encoding specificity principles

Answer 10

that memory retrieval is improved when the encoding context is the same as the retrieval context

Question 11

evaluation

Answer 11

+ real life application: police improve memorys by bringing back to the crime scene
-retrieval failure may not work in same way outside the lab. Low ecological validity