Memory - Explanations For Forgetting

Question 1

What are the two explanations of forgetting?

Answer 1

-Interference theory
-Retrieval failure due to absence of cues

Question 2

What are the two types of interference theory?

Answer 2

-proactive interference
-Retroactive interference

Question 3

What are the two types of retrieval failure due to absence of cues?

Answer 3

-context dependent forgetting
-State dependent forgetting

Question 4

Define interference theory (2)

Answer 4

-interference theory suggests that forgetting occurs due to 2 lots of information, coded a different times becoming confused in the LTM. One memory disrupt the ability to recall another memory. This is most likely to occur when information is similar. (1)
-The two types of interference; proactive interference and retroactive interference (2)

Question 5

Define proactive interference and give an example (2)

Answer 5

-forgetting occurs when past information stored disrupt the recall of new/recent information stored
-for example, the memory of an old phone number means you forget your new phone number

Question 6

Define retroactive interference and give an example (2)

Answer 6

-forgetting occurs when recent information stored disrupts the recall of past information stored
-for example, the memory of a new car registration number means you forget your previous registration number

Question 7

When is forgetting most likely to occur?

Answer 7

When information is similar

Question 8

What is proactive interference for?

Answer 8

Pro = past information

Question 9

What is retroactive interference for?

Answer 9

Retro = recent information

Question 10

Evaluate interference theory as an explanation for forgetting

Answer 10

-RTS- McGeoch and McDonald gave ppts list of words until they could recall with 100% accuracy
-much of McGeoch and McDonald’s research is high in reliability
-lacks mundane realism
-RTS- Baddeley and Hitch

Question 11

Describe McGeoch and McDonald’s procedure in their research into interference theory

Answer 11

-gave ppts a list of 10 words to learn (list A)
-ppts had to learn until they could recall with 100% accuracy
-ppts had to learn a second list of words (the interference)

Question 12

What were the findings in McDonald and McGeoch’s research

Answer 12

-if list B had similar meaning words recall was poor (12%)
-if the words in list B were different to list A, recall was better (26%)

Question 13

Give a strength of McDonald and McGeoch’s research into interference

Answer 13

-high in reliability
-controlled lab setting
-can be repeated in the same environment

Question 14

Give a weakness of McDonald and McGeoch’s research into interference

Answer 14

-lacks mundane realism
-artificial task of recalling word lists

Question 15

Describe Baddeley and Hitch’s research into interference

Answer 15

-asked rugby players to recall the names of the teams they had played over a rugby season
-players had played for the same amount of time however some played all the games and some did not (due to injury)
-they found players who played more games forgot more than those who played less games

Question 16

What does retrieval failure due to absence of cues suggest?

Answer 16

forgetting occurs when information is still in the LTM but can’t be accessed due to a lack of memory cues

Question 17

Define context dependent forgetting and give an example of it (3)

Answer 17

-forgetting occurs due to a lack of external cues to trigger recall
-the environment is different at recall to when the information was coded so forgetting is more likely
-for example, a person may forget information when sitting an exam in a different classroom to where they learned the information

Question 18

Define state dependent forgetting and give an example of it (3)

Answer 18

-forgetting occurs due to a lack of internal cues to trigger recall
-because a persons internal physical and/or emotional state is different at recall to when the information was coded meaning forgetting is more likely
-for example, a person may forget a dance routine on stage because when they learned the routine they may have been calm, but on stage they are anxious

Question 19

Evaluate retrieval failure due to absence of cues

Answer 19

-RTS- context dependent forgetting- Godden and Baddeley - scuba divers learn word lists under water and on land
-RTS- state dependent forgetting- Goodwin Et Al- learn word lists drunk or sober
-lack mundane realism ( recalling word lists)
-has practical applications as it can be used in cognitive interviews

Question 20

Describe Godden and Baddeleys research into context dependent forgetting

Answer 20

-scuba divers were given a list of words to learn on land or under water
-asked to recall words in the same setting or the opposite
-ppts were more likely to forget the words (40% less accuracy) when tested in the opposite location

Question 21

Describe Goodwin Et Al’s research into state dependent forgetting

Answer 21

-volunteers were asked to learn word lists when either drunk or sober
-asked to recall the words after 24 hours in the same/opposite state
-ppts were more likely to forget the words if tested in the opposite state as there is a lack of internal cues, memory cues

Question 22

Give a weakness of research into retrieval failure

Answer 22

-lacks mundane realism

Question 23

How does retrieval failure due to absence of cues have practical applications

Answer 23

-cognitive interviews
-ppts are asked to imagine themselves at the scene of the crime and asked to imagine themselves at the scene if the crime when recalling events
-this was effective in triggering memories