Explanations of forgetting

Question 1

1)

define interference

Answer 1

forgetting because one memory blocks the recall of another, causing one or both memories to be forgotten. degree of forgetting is often greater when memories are similar.

Question 2

define the two parts of interference

Answer 2

Proactive - older memories disrupting the recall of newer memories.

Retroactive - newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored.

Question 3

outline Keppel & Underwoods 1962 study into proactive interference

Answer 3

resembles Peterson and Peterson

• meaningless 3 letter consonant trigrams with different intervals (3,6,9…) rehearsal prevented with participants counting backwards in 3s.
• recalled trigrams that we’re presented first , despite interval length.

Question 4

outline McGeoch & McDonalds 1931 study into retroactive interference

Answer 4

• learn 10 words until 100% accuracy, learned a new list, six groups.
  1) synonyms (same meaning)
  2) antonyms (opposite meanings to original)
  3) words unrelated to original ones
  4) nonsense syllables
  5) 3 digit numbers
  6) no new list (rest)
• recall original words / group 1 had worst recall , group 5 had best recall

Question 5

evaluate interference

Answer 5

+high control (lab)
+ supported by research ^
-lab based
-only explains when information is similar

Question 6

2)

define retrieval failure

Answer 6

a form of forgetting , occurs when we don’t have the necessary cues to access the memory. memory is available but not accessible unless a suitable cue is provided.

Question 7

define context dependent forgetting & state dependent forgetting

Answer 7

CDF : environmental , relevant cues in environment (pen / classroom) missing from place you recall the info in.

SDF : psychological or physiological differences between how you felt when learning the info and how you feel when you later recall the info.

Question 8

outline and evaluate Godden & Baddeley 1975 study into context dependent forgetting

Answer 8

18 p’s/ list of words either on land or underwater & recall on land or under water / 4 conditions (matching/none matching).
- accurate recall was 40% lower in non matching conditions.

+content depending is supported by ^
-low population validity

Question 9

outline and evaluate Darley eat al 1973 study into state dependent forgetting

Answer 9

cannabis / hide money when high / asked to find (some high some sober).
- people still high more successful in doing so compared to people who were sober.

+supported by evidence^

Question 10

overall evaluation

Answer 10

-low ecological validity (G+B list of words)

+real life application (basic in cognitive interviews)