M2- Memory L9

Question 1

What is the retrieval failure theory?

Answer 1

argues that forgetting occurs in the absence of appropriate retrieval cues

Question 2

How does retrieval failure work?

Answer 2

• When info is initially placed in memory, data associated with this info is stored at the same time.
• If these retrieval cues are not available at the time of recall, may appear like you have forgotten the info ,but just cannot access it at that time.

Question 3

Why may the anagram STM lead people to recall all info about short term memory?

Answer 3

• This retrieval cue is linked to the material that needs to be remembered in a MEANINGFUL way .
• other retrieval cues are coded at the of learning but not in a meaningful way

Question 4

What are context cues?

Answer 4

The environment where material is learnt can act as a retrieval cue —> if you recall information in the same environment that you learned it then recall will be better.
If you are not in the same context at retrieval as you were at coding then forgetting can occur.

Question 5

What are state cues?

Answer 5

• An individual’s physical state (e.g. mood) can affect their recall.
• Research studies suggest recall is facilitated if people have a similar physical state at recall as when the info was coded.
• Not in same physical state at recall as when learned the info, may fail to access the info

Question 6

Evaluation of retrieval failure theory -strengths (with experiments)

Answer 6

+ Abernethy (1940) demonstrated importance of CONTEXT-DEPENDANT CUES. Tested participants’ recall using a mixture of familiar and unfamiliar instructors and teaching rooms. familiar instructor, familiar room = performed the best (instructor and room acted as retrieval cues)

+ Godden and Baddeley (1975) demonstrated importance of CONTEXT DEPENDANT CUES. Asked divers to learn and recall word lists on dry land or underwater.
Words learnt and recalled in same context were = better remembered (retrieve cues in environment to help remember)

+ Darley et al. (1973) showed importance of STATE DEPENDANT CUES. participants who hid money in large warehouse while under influence of cannabis = more likely to recall the hiding place when in similar drugged state.

Question 7

Evaluation of retrieval failure theory - strengths ( not experiment)

Answer 7

+ Has practical applications. students should learn/revise in the room where they will take their final exams.

Question 8

Evaluation of retrieval failure theory - weakness

Answer 8

• Baddeley (1997) argues influence of retrieval cues is not actually very strong.
  In real life, often recall something in a different context to where we learnt it. E.g. Students don’t take GCSE exams in classroom where they learned the information they need for that exam.