Explanations Of Forgetting 2. RETRIEVAL FAILURE Flashcards
What is retrieval failure?
Form of forgetting. Occurs when we don’t have necessary cues to access memory. Memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided
Explain retrieval failure theory
People forget info because of insufficient cues. When info initially placed in memory, associated cues are also stored at same time. If cues not available at time of recall it may appear as if the info is forgotten but in fact it’s due to retrieval failure
What is context dependant forgetting?
-The relevant cues in environment that were there when u learnt the info are missing from the place you then recall the info in.
-Stops you from remembering the info
What is state-dependant forgetting?
-Psychological and physiological differences between how you felt when you were learning the info and how u feel later when trying to recall it
What is the key study for context-dependant forgetting?
GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975)
What is the aim of GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975)?
To investigate if recall was affected when participants had to recall info in a different context to where they first learnt the info
What is the method of GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975)?
Divers learned a list of words either on land or underwater. Then asked to recall the words either on land or under water - 4 conditions:
1. Learn on land - recall on land
2. Learn on land - recall under water
3. Learn under water - recall on land
4. Learn under water - recall under water
What are the results of GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975)?
In the conditions where the environmental context didn’t match, accurate recall of words was 40% lower
What is the conclusion of GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975)?
When the external cues available at learning are different from the ones at recall it leads to retrieval failure
Evaluation of retrieval failure theory (+) context dependant forgetting supported by GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975)
P-Strength is that it’s supported by research
E-GODDEN and BADDELEY (1975) asked divers to learn words on either land or underwater then asked to recall the words in either the same or different context to where they originally learned the words. Found that accurate recall was 40% lower when participants were asked to recall words in a different context.
E-Supports retrieval failure theory as a valid explanation of forgetting because - study demonstrates that forgetting can occur when a cue is absent at time of recall
L-Gives validity to context dependant forgetting
Evaluation of retrieval failure theory (-) supporting evidence has low population validity
E-The sample consists of 18 divers -cannot provide evidence for forgetting in non divers. 18 participants is a small sample size and is only a small amount of data
E-This is a limitation - the findings may be difficult to generalise to those who aren’t divers and small sample size means less confidence that conclusion is valid
L-Weak evidence to support theory of context dependant forgetting
What is the key study for state dependant forgetting?
DARLEY ET AL (1973)
What is the aim of DARLEY ET AL (1973)?
Investigate state dependant forgetting
What is the method of DARLEY ET AL (1973)?
Participants smoked cannabis and asked to hide money whilst high. Then asked to find the money again some still high some not
What are the results of DARLEY ET AL (1973)?
People still under the influence of cannabis were more successful in finding the money compared to those sober and asked to do the same
What is the conclusion of DARLEY ET AL (1973)?
Psychological/physical state you’re in at time of coding the info needs to be similar to the state you’re in when recalling the info to be successful in your recall
Evaluation of retrieval failure theory (+) state dependant forgetting supported by DARLEY ET AL (1973)
P-Supported by research
E-DARLEY ET AL (1973) asked people to smoke cannabis then hide money, they then had to find the money some still high some sober and those who were still high had a higher success rate in finding the money
E-Supports retrieval failure theory of forgetting - study demonstrates that forgetting can occur when cue is absent at time of recall
L-Gives validity to the theory of state dependant forgetting
Evaluation of retrieval failure theory (+) real life application
P-Has practical implications
E- eg. BADDELEY suggests when we have trouble remembering something it’s worth making the effort to try and recall the environment in which it was first learnt
E-Strength - retrieval failure theory makes a useful contribution to the real world
L-If the principles work irl they must have some validity
