M: Lesson 9: Retrieval Failure

Question 1

What is retrieval failure?

Answer 1

• Argues that forgetting occurs in the absence of appropriate retrieval cues.
• When information is initially placed in memory, data associated with this information is stored at the same time
• If these retrieval cues are not available, it may make seem that you have forgotten the information when in fact you just cannot access it at that time.
• Some retrieval cues are linked to the material that needs to be remembered in a meaningful way
• Other retrieval cues are coded at the same time of learning but not in a meaningful way

Question 2

What is context-d?ependent forgetting

Answer 2

• The environment in which material is learnt can act as a retrieval cues
• If you recall information in the same environment that you learned it then your recall will be better.
• If you are not in the same context at retrieval as you were at coding then forgetting can occur

Question 3

What is state-dependent forgetting?

Answer 3

• An individual’s physical state can affect their recall.
• Recall is facilitated if people have a similar physical state at recall as when the information was coded
• If you are not in the same physical state at recall as you were when you learned the information then you might fail to access the information.

Question 4

Positive evaluation

Answer 4

• Abernethy tested participants recall using a mixture of familiar instructors and teaching rooms. Participants were tested by a familiar instructor in a familiar room, performed the best because the instructor and room acted as retrieval cues.
• Gooden and Baddeley (1975) also demonstrated the importance of context-dependent cues. They asked divers to learn and recall work lists on dry land and underwater. Results showed that words learnt and recalled in the same context were better remembered as there were retrieval cues to help them remember the words.
• 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.
• Retrieval Failure has practical applications. Whenever possible students should learn/revise in the room, in which they will take their final exams.

Question 5

Positive evaluation

Answer 5

• Abernethy tested participants recall using a mixture of familiar instructors and teaching rooms. Participants were tested by a familiar instructor in a familiar room, performed the best because the instructor and room acted as retrieval cues.
• Gooden and Baddeley (1975) also demonstrated the importance of context-dependent cues. They asked divers to learn and recall work lists on dry land and underwater. Results showed that words learnt and recalled in the same context were better remembered as there were retrieval cues to help them remember the words.
• 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.
• Retrieval Failure has practical applications. Whenever possible students should learn/revise in the room, in which they will take their final exams.