Lesson 9: Retrieval failure theory Flashcards
What does retrieval failure argue?
Forgetting occurs in the ABSENCE of appropriate retrieval cues
What happens to data when information is initially stored in memory?
data ASSOCIATED with this information is stored at the SAME TIME
What can the ENVIRONMENT in which the information is learnt in act as?
A retrieval cue (context cue)
What happens if you recall information in the same environment you learnt it in
recall will be better
What may occur if the context during retrieval DIFFERS from the context during coding.
Forgetting occurs
What can an individual’s physical state (e.g mood) affect?
their recall
According to research studies surrounding state cues, what makes recall easier?
if people have a similar physical state at recall as when the information was coded.
Positive evaluation of retrieval failure
(HINT: familiar vs unfamiliar instructors)
+ Abernethy (1940) demonstrated the importance of CONTEXT-DEPENDENT cues.
tested participants’ recall using a mixture of familiar and unfamiliar INSTRUCTORS and TEACHING rooms.
Participants tested by a FAMILIAR instructor, in a FAMILIAR room, performed the best because the instructor and room acted as retrieval cues.
Positive evaluation of retrieval failure
(Hint: dry vs underwater)
+ Godden and Baddeley (1975) also demonstrated the importance of context dependent cues.
They asked divers to learn and recall word lists on either DRY LAND or UNDERWATER.
Results showed that words learnt and recalled in the same CONTEXT= better remembered as there were retrieval cues to help them remember the words.
Positive evaluation of retrieval failure
(Hint: cannabis)
+ Darley et al. (1973) showed the importance of state-dependent cues.
They found that participants who HID MONEY in a large warehouse while under the influence of CANNABIS were more likely to recall the HIDING PLACE when in a similar drugged state.
Positive evaluation of retrieval failure
(Hint: practical applications)
+ Retrieval Failure has practical applications. Whenever possible students should learn/revise in the room, in which they will take their final exams.
State a NEGATIVE evaluation of retrieval failure
(Hint: context vs learning)
- Baddeley (1997) argues that the influence of retrieval cues = not actually strong.
In real life, we often recall something in a different context to where we learnt it. For instance, students do not often take their GCSE examinations in the classroom where they learned the information they need for that exam.
