Retrieval Failure

Question 1

what is Retrieval Failure?

Answer 1

Retrieval failure is where information is in LTM but forgetting happens due to the absence of appropriate cues

Question 2

Encoding specificity principle (ESP)

Answer 2

• Tulving (1983) = cues help retrieval
• if the same cues are present at encoding (when we learn the material) and at retrieval (when we are recalling it)
  → the closer the retrieval cue to the original cue, the better the cue works

Question 3

Meaning linked to memory

Answer 3

● Some cues have meaning linked to the memory e.g. the cue ‘STM’ may lead you to recall all sorts of information about STM
● Some cues have no meaningful link→ context-dependent forgetting and state-dependent forgetting

Question 4

context dependant forgetting - godden and baddeley 1975

Answer 4

• When memory retrieval is dependent on external cues in the environment e.g. a place, smell etc

Godden and Baddeley (1975) studied divers who learnt new material on dry land or while underwater, then tested either on dry land or water
- recall was worse if in different context and best if same context e.g. information learnt underwater was recalled best underwater
→ this shows having the same context for learning and recall is better

Question 5

State-dependent forgetting - Goodwin et al (1969)

Answer 5

• When memory retrieval is dependent on an internal cue e.g. feeling upset, on drugs, or being drunk

Goodwin et al (1969) - material was learnt either drunk or sober, and then tested again either drunk or sober
- recall was worse when Ps in different internal state at recall e.g. recalling information drunk was better if learnt drunk
→ this shows having the same internal state for learning results in better recall