explanations of forgetting

Question 1

what are the two explanations of forgetting?

Answer 1

• interference theory

- retrieval failure

Question 2

how does the interference theory explain forgetting?

Answer 2

two pieces of information are in conflict in LTM and we can’t get access to them despite their availability

Question 3

what are the two types of interference?

Answer 3

• proactive

- retroactive

Question 4

what is proactive interference?

Answer 4

old information interferes with new information

Question 5

what is retroactive interference?

Answer 5

new information interferes with old information

Question 6

when does the interference theory memory is worse?

Answer 6

• when memories are similar new information is more difficult to store (proactive)
• new information overwrites pre - existing information that is similar (retroactive)

Question 7

who proposed a study for interference theory and what is it a study of?

Answer 7

McGeoch and McDonald (1931) - effects of similarity

Question 8

what does McGeoch and McDonald’s consist of?

Answer 8

ppts given a list of words and was then given a list which was similar to the old list

Question 9

what did McGeoch and McDonald conclude from their study?

Answer 9

• synonyms produced the worst recall due to similarity (strong interference)
• very different material had increased rate of recall

Question 10

how does retrieval failure explain forgetting?

Answer 10

a lack of cues during recall limits memory access

Question 11

what does Tulving propose about retrieval failure and what is it?

Answer 11

the encoding specificity principle - cues help retrieval if the same cues are present at encoding

Question 12

what do you know about cues?

Answer 12

some are linked to material to be remembered in a meaningful way

Question 13

what are the 2 types of forgetting mentioned in the retrieval failure explanation?

Answer 13

• context dependent forgetting

- state dependent forgetting

Question 14

what is context dependent forgetting?

Answer 14

retrieval is dependent on external and environmental cues

Question 15

what is state dependent forgetting?

Answer 15

retrieval is dependent on internal cues and state of mind

Question 16

what are the main evaluation points of the interference theory?

Answer 16

1) research support from Baddeley and Hitch (rugby players)
2) lab study support from McGeoch and McDonald
3) artificial materials (interference isn’t a likely cause of ‘everyday’ forgetting)

Question 17

what are the main evaluation points for retrieval failure?

Answer 17

1) research support from Godden and Baddeley (eysenck argues differently)
2) encoding specificity principle can’t be tested - difficult to establish if cues have been encoded
3) Baddeley explains context effects aren’t strong in real life