Explanations For Forgetting Flashcards
What is forgetting?
The failure to recall or recognise learned material.
What are the two explanations for forgetting?
- Interference.
- Retrieval Failure.
What is interference?
When one memory disrupts (interferes with) our recall of another memory.
Interference most likely occurs when two memories are _______.
Similar.
What are the two types of interference?
- Retroactive Interference.
- Proactive Interference.
What is Retroactive Interference (RI)?
This is when newly learned information disrupts the recall of older information.
What is an example of RI?
Learning the Spanish word for ‘thank you’ and then learning the Italian word for ‘thank you’ and struggling to recall the Spanish word you learned first.
What is Proactive Interference (PI)?
This is when older memories/ information disrupt our ability to learn and recall new information.
What is an example of PI?
Getting a new mobile phone number and when asked for your new number you recall your old one instead.
What are the three evaluation points for interference?
+ McGeogh and McDonald, 1931 (RI)
+ Underwood, 1957 (PI)
- Materials used in research are meaningless (Both)
When does retrieval failure occur?
When a memory is available but we cannot access it due to a lack of the necessary ‘triggers’ (cues).
What are the two types of retrieval failure?
- Context-Dependent forgetting.
- State-Dependent forgetting.
What is context-dependent forgetting?
The inability to retrieve a memory due to an absence of environmental triggers at time of retrieval.
What is an example of context-dependent forgetting?
Learning a fact in one classroom and struggling to remember it when asked to recall in another classroom.
What is state-dependent forgetting?
The inability to retrieve a memory due to being in a different mental state at the time of retrieval.
