Explanations For Forgetting: Retrieval Failure Flashcards
What does the encoding specificity principle state?
The closer a cue at retrieval is to the item to be remembered, the higher the likelihood of recall.
Devised by Tulving and Thompson.
What is context-dependent forgetting?
Improved recall of specific episodes or information when contextual cues relating to the environment are the same.
It emphasizes the importance of the environment in memory retrieval.
What was the focus of the research by Godden and Baddeley?
Investigated the effect of context on memory recall using scuba divers.
Divers learned words on land or underwater and were tested in both environments.
What were the results of Godden and Baddeley’s study?
Highest recall occurred when the initial context matched the recall environment.
This illustrates the concept of context-dependent memory.
What is state-dependent forgetting?
Improved recall of specific episodes or information when cues relating to emotional and physical state are the same during learning and retrieval.
It highlights the role of internal states in memory retrieval.
What did Goodwin et al. (1969) study?
The impact of being drunk or sober on memory recall.
Male volunteers had to remember information when either drunk or sober.
What were the best results found in Goodwin et al.’s study?
Best results were sober at both times, followed by drunk at both.
This supports the idea of state-dependent memory.
Fill in the blank: The closer a cue at retrieval is to the item to be remembered, the higher the likelihood of _______.
[recall]
True or False: Context-dependent memory suggests that recall is better when the learning and recall environments are different.
False
Fill in the blank: Context-dependent forgetting refers to improved recall when contextual cues relating to the _______ are the same.
[environment]
Fill in the blank: State-dependent memory improves recall when cues relating to _______ and physical state are the same.
[emotional]
What is the main idea behind retrieval failure in memory?
The idea that memory recall is influenced by the context in which information is learned.
Which study investigated context cues in memory recall?
A study by Godden and Baddeley.
What method did Godden and Baddeley use in their study?
They recruited scuba divers to learn words underwater and tested them in different environments.
What does the study by Godden and Baddeley suggest about testing environments?
You recall better if tested in an environment similar to where you learned.
What is a real-world application of retrieval failure research?
Improving recall in eye-witness memory through cognitive interviews.
What is a cognitive interview?
A strategy where witnesses describe their mood/emotional state during the incident.
Do retrieval cues always work effectively in real life?
No, they are not always effective in complex information recall.
Fill in the blank: Retrieval cues can explain everyday forgetting, but they do not explain _______.
[all types of complex memory recall].
What is a limitation of retrieval cues according to the text?
They are more effective for word lists than for more complex information.
True or False: The use of retrieval cues is always effective in improving memory recall.
False.
What does research into retrieval failure suggest about improving recall?
It suggests ways to enhance recall in real-world situations.
