memory - retrieval failure due to absence of cues

Question 1

retrieval failure - AO1
intro

Answer 1

• suggests that forgetting happens when info is still in LTM
• but can’t be accessed due to lack of cues

Question 2

context-dependent forgetting - AO1

Answer 2

• lack of external cues to trigger recall
• different environment at recall compared to when info was first coded
• e.g. may forget information in exam hall compared to when they learnt it in a classroom

Question 3

state-dependent forgetting - AO1

Answer 3

• suggests that forgetting is due to lack of internal cues to trigger recall
• e.g. person may be in a different internal physical/emotional when recalling info compared to when they first coded info
• person may forget dance routine on stage as when learnt they are calm
• but on stage anxious

Question 4

research to support - AO3
godden and baddeley (1975)

ONLY USE IF CONTEXT-DEPENDENT USED IN AO1

Answer 4

P - RTS context-dependent
- godden and baddeley

E - gave ppts list of words to learn underwater/on land
E - tested on recall in same/opposite location to where they learnt list

E - found when tested in opposite location
- 40% less accuracy

L - supports context-dependent
- lack of external cues (environment)
- forgetting more likely

Question 5

research to support - AO3
godden and baddeley (1975)

DISCUSSION

Answer 5

• baddeley argues contexts may not be that strong
• environment must be very different for effect to be seen e.g. land/underwater
• difficult to find completely different environments in real life
• e.g. learning in one room, recalling in another = unlikely to forget
• environments generally the same
• does not represent context dependent forgetting in everyday life

Question 6

research to support - AO3
Goodwin et al (1969)

ONLY USE IF STATE-DEPENDENT USED IN AO1

Answer 6

P - RTS
- state dependent forgetting
- Goodwin et al 1969

E - male volunteers
- asked to learn list of words when drunk/sober
- recall list in same/opposite state to when learnt

E - found poorer recall when in opposite state
- to when they first learnt list

L - supports state-dependent
- lack of internal memory of cues (physical/emotional state)
- more likely to forget

Question 7

weakness - AO3
lacks mundane realism

Answer 7

P - weakness
- lacks mundane realism

E - artificial task e.g. learning list of words
- difficult to generalise to real life

E - we may learn more complex info
- e.g. psychological theories
- cannot be accessed with internal/external cues

L - weakens external validity
- questions retrieval failure as explanation for forgetting