Forgetting: Retrieval Failure

Question 1

What is the Encoding Specificity Principle​?

Answer 1

It suggests that if the same cues are present at encoding and retrieval, the easier memories can be remembered

Question 2

What is State-Dependent Forgetting​?

Answer 2

When memory retrieval is dependent on the internal state of mind (eg. being drowsy)

Question 3

What is Context-Dependent Forgetting​?

Answer 3

When memory retrieval is dependent on external/environmental cues (eg. temperature)

Question 4

Who did an experiment into State-Dependent Forgetting​?

What did they find?

Answer 4

• Carter and Cassidy: Hayfever Medication​
• When the internal state didn’t match recall state (learnt on the drug, recalled off the drug), recall was worse than when they did match (learnt on the drug, recalled on the drug) ​

Question 5

Who did an experiment into Context-Dependent Forgetting​?

What did they find?

Answer 5

• Godden and Baddeley (1975): Deep-Sea Divers​
• When the environmental cues did not match recall environmental cues (learn on land, recalled underwater), recall was 40% lower than when they did match (learn underwater, recalled underwater)​

Question 6

Strengths of Retrieval Failure?

Answer 6

• Lots of evidence to support retrieval failure​

- Context-related cues have useful everyday applications​ (real-life application)

Question 7

Weaknesses of Retrieval Failure?

Answer 7

• Evidence shows context effects are not very strong in real-life​ (low ecological validity)
• Encoding Specificity Principle can’t be tested ​
• Contextual effects only occur when memory is tested in certain ways