Explanations for forgetting:Retrieval Failure

Question 1

what is retrieval failure

Answer 1

forgetting due to being able to access a memory and we need cues to serve as a reminder of the memory

Question 2

what is the encoding specificity principle

Answer 2

states that if a cue is to help us recall info it had to be presented at encoding(when we learn it) and at retrieval(where we react it)

Question 3

what does encoding specified principle mean in terms of forgetting

Answer 3

if cues available at encoding and retrieval are different there will be some sort of forgetting

Question 4

what is context dependent forgetting

Answer 4

memory recall is better when the environment is the same as where you learnt it

Question 5

what was Godden and Baddeleys context dependent forgetting study

Answer 5

divers learned a list of words under water or on land- so 4 groups:

• learn on land-recall on land
• learn on land-recall underwater
• learn underwater-recall underwear
• learn underwater-recall on land

Question 6

what were Godden and Baddeleys findings

Answer 6

• accurate recall 40% lower in non matching conditions

- external cues available at learning were different from ones at recall causing retrieval failure

Question 7

what is state dependent forgetting

Answer 7

memory recall is better when your mental state is the same as where you learn it

Question 8

what was Carter and Cassady state dependent forgetting study

Answer 8

• gave anti-histamine drugs to ppts that made them slightly drowsy
• ppts has to learn a list of words and recall them in four conditions
• learn on drug-recall on drug
• learn on drug-recall not on drug
• learn not on drug-recall not on drug
• learn not on drug-recall on drug

Question 9

what were Carter and Cassady findings

Answer 9

• performer was significantly worse when there was a mismatch between internal state at learning and recall
• when cues are absent(drowsy but alert learning it) there is more forgetting

Question 10

evaluate retrieval failure in light of research

Answer 10

range of research

• godden and baddeley
• carter and cassady

Question 11

evaluate retrieval failure in light of real life application

Answer 11

cues can be applied to everyday actions
-when we revisit the environment we first experienced it
INTERNAL VALIDITY

Question 12

evaluate retrieval failure of evaluation of research/recall vs recognition

Answer 12

context effects only occur when memory is tested in certain ways
-godden and baddeley replicate experiment using recognition test and performance was the same in all conditions