Memory: retrieval failure

Question 1

Describe assumption of retrieval failure

Answer 1

Failure to access information due to absence of sufficient cues

Question 2

What is the encoding specificity principal?

Answer 2

• Tulving
• Cues available at recall need to be the same specific cues available at learning

Question 3

Define context dependent forgetting

Answer 3

At recall we lack external cues present at learning
e.g. room we are in, sounds, sights

Question 4

Define state dependent forgetting

Answer 4

At recall we lack internal cues present at learning
e.g. mental state, drugs

Question 5

Who researched context dependent forgetting?

Answer 5

Godden and Baddeley

Question 6

Describe research by Godden and Baddeley

Answer 6

• Learn + recall word lists, 4 diff conditions
  1. Learn underwater, recall underwater
  2. Learn underwater, recall on land
  3. Learn on land, recall on land
  4. Learn on land, recall underwater
• Recall best when same context in learning and recall

Question 7

Who researched state dependent forgetting?

Answer 7

Carter and Cassady

Question 8

Describe research by carter and cassady

Answer 8

• ppts learned/recalled word lists and short passages of information on/off antihistamines
• Higher recall when same internal state

Question 9

Evaluations

Answer 9

+ Grant et al: learn/recall in noisy and silent conditions - better recall when matched conditions

+ real world application in cognitive interview

• Contexts have to be extremely different before effects are seen
• Recall vs recognition: Godden and Baddeley repeated study but with recognition task –> no context dependent affect