Explanations for forgetting LTM: retrieval failure

Question 1

Retrieval failure

Answer 1

-We forget things due to the absence of cues
-Cues are initially stored at the same time as when our memories are being encoded.
-Cues can be meaningfully linked; or environmental cues (a room), mental cues (sad/drunk) linked to the context/state in which the LTM was first acquired.

Question 2

Encoding specificity principle

Answer 2

Tulving (1983)
Any cues present during the coding of the memory must also be present at the time of retrieval.
If this does not happen then forgetting will occur.
Information is still there, BUT we cannot access it without the relevant cues.

Question 3

Context-dependent forgetting

Answer 3

-Recall is dependent on external cues e.g weather, location, sights, sounds etc

Question 4

Godden + Baddeley (1975): context-dependent forgetting

Answer 4

-Asked ppts to learn and recall words on both land and underwater using repeated measures design
Procedure:
1) Learn on land=recall on land
2) Learn on land=recall underwater
3) Learn underwater=recall on land
4) Learn underwater=recall underwater
Findings:
Conditions 1+4 showed better recall as the context was the same when learning and recalling info
Accurate recall was about 40% in non-matched conditions

Question 5

State-dependent forgetting

Answer 5

-Recall is dependent on internal cues e.g how you’re feeling in that moment in time, or change in internal mental state like being drunk.

Question 6

Carter + Cassaday (1981): state-dependent forgetting

Answer 6

-Gave ppts antihistamines which had a mild sedative effect: creates a ‘different’ internal physiological state using a repeated measures design.
-Ppts had to learn lists of words and passages of prose in 1 of 4 conditions
Procedure:
1) Learn on drug=recall on drug
2) Learn on drug=recall not on drug
3) Learn not on drug=recall on drug
4) Learn not on drug=recall not on drug
Findings:
-Recall was significantly worse when in mismatched conditions
Conclusions:
-When cues are absent, forgetting occurs

Question 7

AO3 EVAL

Answer 7

Practical application to the real world
For example, police often use what we know about retrieval failure to help witnesses remember more accurate details about an event. This is done by reconstructing the scene, to provide both emotional and environmental cues which could jog the witnesses memory.
Additionally TV programmes like Crimewatch produce reconstructions and broadcast them live, used during the murder of Danielle Jones 2001: led to a successful conviction.
Our understanding of cue-dependent forgetting has had a positive impact on justice being served properly and many offenders being put awau