Explanations for Forgetting: Retrieval Failure

Question 1

Retrieval failure

Answer 1

When we don’t have necessary cues to access memory. Memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided.

Question 2

Encoding Specificity Principle

Answer 2

States if a cue is there to help recall info then it has to be present at encoding (when we learn the material) and at retrieval (when we recall it). So if cues are different at encoding and retrieval or if cues are absent at retrieval, then there’s forgetting.

Question 3

Context-Dependent Forgetting (Godden and Baddley) (external cues)

Answer 3

Divers learnt words underwater or land and had to recall underwater or at land (4 conditions). Found that Better accurate recall in matching conditions. External cues available at learning was different from ones at recall, led to retrieval failure.

Question 4

State-Dependent Forgetting (Carter and Cassaday) (internal cues)

Answer 4

Gave anti-histamine drugs to participants. The drugs make them drowsy. Had to learn when on drug and not on drug and recall when on drug and not on drug (4 conditions). More forgetting when mismatch as cues are absent. Internal cues available at learning was different from ones at recall, led to retrieval failure

Question 5

Strength

Answer 5

Eysenck argues that retrieval failure is the main reason for forgetting in LTM. Strength as supporting evidence increases validity. RF occurs in real life situations as well as in high controlled conditions in lab.

Question 6

Strength

Answer 6

Baddley says we are upstairs and want to get something from downstairs but you forget when you go down and you go back up and you remember. When we can’t remember something we go to the environment and recall what you learnt there. Links to context dependent forgetting.

Question 7

Weakness

Answer 7

Recall vs recognition. Godden and Baddley replicated their experiment & used recognition instead of recall. Asked if they recognised instead of retrieving. Performance was same in all 4 conditions. Limitation as presence or absence of cues only affects memory when you test it in a certain way.

Question 8

Weakness

Answer 8

We only assume that cues are encoded at time of learning. No evidence. (ESP)