Memory: Forgetting Flashcards
What are the 2 explanations for forgetting??
- Interference
- Retrieval failure
What is interference??
Forgetting something because one memory blocks another. This may cause forgetting or distortion of memories.
What is proactive interference??
When an old memory interferes with remembering a new one
What is retroactive interference??
When a new memory interferes with remembering an old one
Who studied retroactive interference and when??
Mcgeogh & Mcdonald in 1931
What was the method of Mcgeogh & Mcdonald’s (1931) study?? (and the results)
- Ppts given list of words to learn
- Ppts given second list, each group given different 2nd lists:
1. Words with same meaning as original
2. Words with opposite meaning
3. Nonsense syllables
4. 3-digit numbers
5. Same list again
Results: ppts recalled less of original list if 2nd list had similar meanings
What is the passage of time evaluation point for the interference theory??
Baddeley & Hitch (1977):
- Tried to measure and see whether passage of time or interference influenced forgetting more
- When recalling previous matches, rugby players remembered them as long as they hadn’t played a match since then
Conclusion: Interference is more influential than passage of time
What are the 2 types of retrieval failure??
- Context-dependent (lack of external cues)
- State-dependent (lack of internal cues)
What is the Encoding Specificity Principle??
(And who and when)
Tulving (1983): A cue has to be present when encoding a memory AND at recall to help us remember something
What is a cue??
A trigger of information that allows us to access a memory
What are the 2 studies that can be used to evaluate external cues??
- Tulving & Psotka (1971)
- Godden & Baddeley (1975)
What was Tulving & Psotka’s (1971) study??
Stated that the effects of interference can be overcome by using cues
- Gave ppts list of words organised into categories
- Recall for each list decreased over time, however, when told the category, recall increased
What was Godden & Baddeley’s (1975) study??
Aim to see whether context affects recall
- Ppts deep-sea divers put into 4 groups
- Given lists of words to learn
1. Learn underwater, recall underwater
2. Learn underwater, recall on beach
3. Learn on beach, recall on beach
4. Learn on beach, recall underwater
Groups 1 & 3 got 40% more words correct than 2 & 4
What’s a weakness of Godden & Baddeley’s (1975) study??
Baddeley in 1997:
it created an experiment where context is extremely different which isn’t applicable in real-life (context effects aren’t as strong irl)
What is the study that can be used to evaluate internal cues??
Carter & Cassaday (1998)
