⚪️ Memory - Retrieval Failure as an Explantion for Forgetting Flashcards
What is retrieval failure
The inability to access stored memories due to a lack of proper calls to trigger recall
What does this theory suggest is the reason for forgetting
This theory explains forgetting in the KTM as a retrieval failure, the information stored in the LTM bur cannot be accessed. When we learn information we also encode the context (external cues) and in which we learn the information and the mental state (internal cues)
A lack of cues causes forgetting
What is the encoding specificity principle
Proposed by Engel Tulving, cues at recall should march cues present during learning
2 types of retrieval failure
- context dependent forgetting
- state dependent forgetting
What is context dependent forgetting
Forgetting due to lack of environmental cues from learning
What is state dependent forgetting
Focuses on internal cues. Forgetting due to lack of internal cues from leaning.
Physiological states, influences of substances
Psychological state, mood and emotions
Study for context dependent forgetting
Godden and Baddeley (1975)
Aim of Godden and Baddeley (1975)
Investigated the effect of environment on recall. Scuba divers memories words in different contexts
Procedure of Godden and Baddeley (1975)
18 divers from a diving club were asked to learn lists of 36 unrelated words of 2 or 3 syllables.
4 conditions
1 - learn on beach recall on beach
2 - learn on beach recall under water
3 - learn under water recall on beach
4 - learn under water recall under water
Results of Godden and Baddeley (1975)
BB 🟢13.5🟢
BW 🔴8.5🔴
WB🔴8.6🔴
WW🟢11.4🟢
Conclusion of Baddeley and Godden (1975)
The results show that the context acted as a cue to recall as the participants recalled more words when they learnt and recalled the words in the same environment than when they learnt and recalled words in different environments
2 negatives of baddeley and Goddens research in 1975
- Limited ecological validity because the environment was familiar to the divers but the task was artificial, they are not used to learn lists of meaningless words in our everyday life
- Another weakness is that the groups who learnt and recalled in different environments were disrupted, had to change environment, could have influences their recall
1 positive of Godden and Baddeley research in 1975
A controlled experiment so it can be replication so reliability can be tested
2 researches for state dependent forgetting
Goodwin et al (1969)
Cassidy and carter (1998)
When does state dependent forgetting occur
When your mood or physiological state during recall is different to the mood you were in when you were learning
Procedure of Goodwin et al 1969
48 male medical students participated on day 1 in a training session and on day 2 in a testing. They were randomly assigned to 4 groups.
- SS sober on both days
- AA intoxicated on both days
- AS intoxicated on day 1 and sober on Day 2
- SA sober on day 1 intoxicated on day 2
In Goodwin et al 1969 How much alcohol did the intoxicated participants have
111mg / 100 ml alcohol in their blood
What at the 4 tests in Goodwin et al 1969
Avoidance task, verbal rote learning task, word association test, picture recognition task
Results of Goodwin et al 1969
More errors were made on day 2 in the AS &SA condition than in AA or SS. SS participants performed best in all tasks
Conclusion of Goodwin et al 1969
Supports state dependent theory as performance was best in the participants who were sober or intoxicated on both days
Procedure of Cassidy and Carter. (1998).
Testing if antihistamine drugs would affect memory and to test if state dependent causes forgetting.
Free recall list of 20 words and free recall a passage of information
4 groups
1. NDND
2. NDD
3. DND
4. DD
Conclusion of Cassidy and Carter. (1998).
Participants recall was affected in learning and recall was different. Recall was higher when they were in same state and learning retrieval failure occurred when they were in a different state
2 negatives of state dependent researches (Goodwin and Cassidy and carter)
- have limited ecological validity because the task performed by the participants were artificial therefore their performance may not reflect the way they would perform on tasks in everyday life
- the participants knew they were taking part in a study so they might have changed their behaviour(demand characteristics) to fit in with anims of the study
Positive of state dependent studies
Controlled experiment so it can be replicated so reliability can be tested
Real life application of state dependent evaluation
This is used as a strategy to improve recall in EWT when using the cognitive interview. Wistnesses are asked to describe their mood / emotional state when the incident they witnessed took place
How to apply retrieval failures to study habits
- create memorable cues when studying
- use mnemonics and clear headings
- practice recalling information in exam like conditions
