explanations for forgetting: Retrieval failure MEM

Question 1

retrieval failure

Answer 1

a form of forgetting. It occurs when we don’t have the necessary cues to access memory. The memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided.

Question 2

cue

Answer 2

a ‘trigger’ of information that allows us to access a memory

Question 3

tip of the tongue phenonemon

Answer 3

reflects the feeling that you know somethings but you just can’t get it out, frustration

Question 4

+who discovered it

encoding specifity principle

Answer 4

Tulving
if a cue is going to be helpful then it must be present at encoding and present at retrieval

Question 5

Cues that are encoded at a non-meaningful way include:

Answer 5

Context dependant forgetting (external cues)
State- dependent forgetting (internal cues)

Question 6

Research on context-dependent forgetting

procedure

Answer 6

Godden and Baddeley studied deep sea divers to see if training on land affected performance in the water. The divers learnt a list of words either underwater or on land and then recalled the words either underwater or on land.
Learn on land → recall on land
Learn in water → recall in water
Learn on land → recall in water
Learn in water → recall on land

Question 7

Research on context-dependent forgetting

findings and conclusion

Answer 7

Accurate recall was 40% lower in the non- matching conditions. They concluded that the external cues available at learning were not available at recall, which lead to retrieval failure.

Question 8

application example of context-dependant forgetting

Answer 8

• Smell can act as a context related cue
• Aggleton and Waskett
• Jorvik Museum
• Used smells as part of experience
• Helped people recall details accurately

Question 9

Research on state-dependent forgetting

procedure

Answer 9

**Carter **and Cassaday created an internal physiological state different from the ‘normal’ state by giving their participants antihistamines. They learnt a list of words and then recalled the info.
Learn on drug → recall on drug
Learn not on drug → recall not on drug
Learn on drug → recall not on drug
Learn not on drug → recall on drug

Question 10

Research on state-dependent forgetting

findings

Answer 10

When cues were absent then there is more forgetting.

Question 11

Real world application

strength

Answer 11

Retrieval cues can help to overcome some forgetting in everyday situations
- **Baddeley **
- When we have trouble remembering something it is worth making an effort to recall the environment of where we learned it

Question 12

Recall versus recognition

limitation

Answer 12

Depends on type of memory being tested
- Godden and** Baddeley**
- Repeated experiment
- Tested recognition
- No contextual- dependent effect
Retrieval failure is a limited explanation for forgetting because it only applies to recall not recognition.

Question 13

Research support and counterpoint

strength and limitation

Answer 13

Range of supporting research
- Godden and **Baddeley
- Carter and Cassaday**
- **Eyenck **and **Keane **argue that retrieval failure is the main reason for forgetting from LTM
Retrieval failure happens in real world situations as well as high controlled lab settings

BUT
Baddeley argues that context effects are not very strong

Retrieval failure due to a lack of contextual cues may not explain everyday forgetting