explanations of forgetting : Retrieval failure eval Flashcards
There is a great bulk of research support for retrieval
Such research includes lab, field and natural experiments as well as anecdotal evidence. For example Tulving and Pearlstone in a lab experiment demonstrated the power of retrieval cues while in a field experiment by Abernethy demonstrated the importance of context dependent learning among a group of students studying a course. supports as it shows that retrieval failure is relevant to everyday life so high ecological validity.
Real world application
Abernethy’s research suggest that u ought to revise in a room where you will be taking exams. Smith showed that if you just thinking about the room where you did the original learning(mental reinstatement) was effective in recalling. Another application is in cognitive interviews where you reinstate the context and return to the scene of the crime in your head. Support as it can suggest strategies for improving recall in real word situations such as taking exams or giving eyewitness testimony
Recall versus recognition
Godden and Baddeley replicated their underwater experiment but used recognition test instead of recall. When using recognition there were no context dependent effects and the performance was the same in all conditions. Limitation as it shows that cues are only important when tested in a certain way.
Retrieval failure explains interference effects
Tulving and Psotka demonstrated that interference is due to absence of cues. ppts were given 6 diff word lists to learn. ppts were then asked to list the words with no cues or after being given the category names as cues. The more the list ppts had to recall the worse their performance(retroactive) However when ppts were given cued recall the effects of interference disappeared. Support as it shows that information is available but cannot be retrieved and therefore retrieval failure is more important explanation than interference.
