explanations for forgetting: retrieval failure

Question 1

how does retrieval failiure affect forgetting?

Answer 1

• when info is stored in memory cues are stored too
• if cues are not available upon recall it may appear that we have forgotten
• insufficient cues=retrieval failure

Question 2

explain ESP?

Answer 2

• encoding specific principle
• tulving believed cues needed to be present in encoding
• some cues are linked to more meaningful memories= we remember more

Question 3

explain research into context dependent forgetting(external)?

Answer 3

-Godden and Baddley 
made deep sea divers learn a list 
-they had to recall either on land or underwater in 4 condtions 
(YOU KNOW THEM)
EG.learn on land>recall underwater

Question 4

what were the findings from research into context dependent forgetting (external)?

Answer 4

• recall in congruent environment= 40%

- and lower for non-similar

Question 5

evaluate research into context dependent forgetting (external)?

Answer 5

WEAKNESS

• Baddley himself argues context effects aren’t very strong
• limited real life application as environment is v different from everyday life
• doesn’t give accurate insight into retrieval failure

Question 6

evaluate supporting evidence for research into context dependent forgetting (external)?

Answer 6

STRENGTH

• examples of supporting research show retrieval failure to be the main reason for forgetting in the LTM
• supporting ev increases validity

Question 7

explain research into context dependent forgetting (internal)?

Answer 7

• gave anti-histamine to pp’s (has mild sedative effect)
• creates drowsyness =internal psychological state, different from ‘normal’
• pp’s learn prose in 4 different conditions
  eg. learn on drug> recall off drug

Question 8

what were the findings from research into context dependent forgetting (internal)?

Answer 8

-when there was congruence between internal state and recall = better recall

Question 9

evaluate weakness into context dependent forgetting external)?

Answer 9

WEAKNESS

• question of recall vs recognition
• underwater experiment replicated to test recognition not recall
• tested in same 4 conditions =said they recognised words said to them, instead of recall
• findings showed no context dependent factors
• performance same in all conditions
• THEREFORE shows not all memory is context dependent