Explanations For Forgetting

Question 1

Interference

Answer 1

Interaction between new material and transfer effects of past learned behaviour memories or thoughts that have negative influence in comprehending new material

Question 2

Proactive interference

Answer 2

Old memory interfered with a new one

Question 3

Retroactive interference

Answer 3

Newer memory interferes with older one

Question 4

Effect of similarity
Evidence for interference theory
McGeoch and McDonald

Answer 4

Retro active interference 
Learned list of words until 100% remembered then learned new list
/
1) synonyms
2)antonyms
3)words unrelated to original ones
4)nonsense syllables
5)3digit numbers
6)no new list, rest 
/
When recall original list of words, performance depended on nature of 2nd list
Interference stronger when memories similar
/
Closer words are, lower the recall

Question 5

Strengths of explanations for forgetting- interference

Answer 5

Support real life studies

Lab experiment

Question 6

Weakness of explanations for forgetting - interference

Answer 6

Research artificial- used word lists which aren’t relevant to every day life
Interference only explains some situations of forgetting
Doesn’t occur that often

Question 7

Retrieval failure

Answer 7

Occurs due an absence of cues

Based on idea that the issue relates to being able to retrieve memory that is there but not accessible

Question 8

Context dependent forgetting

Answer 8

Failure to recall information without memory cues
External
Environment

Question 9

Research evidence Godden and Baddeley for CDF

Answer 9

Investigate effect of environment on recall
/
18 divers asked to learn list of unrelated words
Con1)learn on beach recall on beach
Con2)learn on beach recall under water
Con3)learn under water recall on beach
Con4)learn under water recall under water
/
Findings showed recall was better where learnt
/
Context acted as a character

Question 10

State dependent forgetting

Answer 10

Information stored in memory is retrieved by way of association with other memories
Internal

Question 11

Research evidence carter snd Cassaday for SDF

Answer 11

Investigate effect of physiological state on recall
/
Given anti histamine drugs, mild sedative effect making participant drowsy.
Learn list of words and passage then recall info
Con1)learn on drug recall on drug
Con2)learn off drug recall on drug
Con3)learn on drug recall off drug
Con4)learn off drug recall off drug
/
Recall better when in same physiological state

Question 12

Strengths of retrieval failure

Answer 12

When environment and state is different more likely to forget
Relevant to real world

Question 13

Weakness of retrieval failure

Answer 13

Don’t always work- in experiments use words that aren’t meaningful
Lacks ecological validity
Lab experiment