Memory 3 | Explanations for forgetting Flashcards
AO1 What is proactive interference
When old information interferes with the ability to recall new information
AO1 What is retroactive interference
When new information interferes with the ability to recall old information
AO1 What is interference theory of forgetting
Forgetting occurs when two sets of information conflict causing one or both to be forgotten or distorted
AO1 When is interference more likely to occur
When two memories are similar
AO1 What is retrieval failure
Forgetting occurs when there are insufficient cues to trigger the memory at the time of recall
AO1 What are cues in retrieval failure
Cues are triggers of information that help us access memories such as smells places or emotional states
AO1 What is context-dependent forgetting
When memory retrieval is affected by external environmental cues being absent at recall
AO1 What is state-dependent forgetting
When memory retrieval is affected by internal cues like mood or emotional state being different at recall
AO1 Outline Godden and Baddeley’s study on context-dependent forgetting
Divers learned lists of words underwater or on land and recalled them either in the same or different environment recall was better when learning and recall matched
AO1 Outline McGeoch and McDonald’s study on retroactive interference
Participants learned a list of words then a second list of synonyms recall of the original list was worse when the second list was similar
AO1 Outline Underwood and Postman 1960 study on retroactive interference
Participants learned a list of paired words for example cat-tree the experimental group then learned a second list with the same first word for example cat-book the control group did not learn a second list recall was worse for the experimental group showing retroactive interference
AO1 Outline Underwood 1957 study on proactive interference
Underwood reviewed studies on memory and found that participants who learned multiple word lists remembered only 20 percent of the last list compared to 70 percent when only one list was learned showing proactive interference
AO3 Strength of interference theory supported by lab studies
Controlled research like McGeoch and McDonald shows interference is stronger when memories are similar increasing internal validity
AO3 Limitation of interference theory artificial tasks
Interference research often uses word lists reducing ecological validity as it may not apply to everyday memory
AO3 Strength of retrieval failure real-world application
Retrieval failure explains the effectiveness of techniques like the cognitive interview improving eyewitness testimony accuracy
AO3 Strength of retrieval failure supported by evidence
Godden and Baddeley found better recall when context cues matched learning and recall locations supporting retrieval failure theory
AO3 Limitation comparing interference and retrieval failure
Interference explains forgetting when memories are similar whereas retrieval failure explains forgetting due to lack of cues making retrieval failure a broader explanation
