Theories Of Forgetting

Question 1

Define forgetting

Answer 1

• the inability to recall something now, that could be recalled at an earlier occasion
• because the information is no longer there = trace decay
• we are failing to access the storage = retrieval failure

Question 2

Define interference theory

Answer 2

• when similar information is confused in recall

Question 3

Define retroactive theory

Answer 3

• works backwards in time so new information disrupts information you have previously learnt

Question 4

Define proactive interference

Answer 4

Worlds forwards in time, when old information prevents you from learning something new
Eg getting married and changing your surname but forgetting it changed and using the old one

Question 5

Define retrieval failure

Answer 5

• when you are unable to retrieve the memory

Question 6

What Research goes into the inference theory

Answer 6

Baddeley and hitch - 1977

Question 7

What was the procedure of badeley and hitch’s 1977 rugby experiment

Answer 7

• asked rugby players to recall the names of the teams they had played against during a rugby season
• it researched both into those who played every game of the season and those who missed games due to injury

Question 8

What was the results and conclusion of badeley and hitch 1977 experiment on rugby players

Answer 8

Results: players who played the most games (most interference for memory) had the poorest recall

Conclusion: this study shows that interference can operate in at least some real world situations, increasing the validity of the theory

Question 9

Evaluation of interference theory
- limitations

Answer 9

• interference may cause some forgetting in everyday situations but it is unusual
  -most forgetting may be explained better by other theories such as retrieval failure due to lack of cues
• interference is temporary and can be overcome by using cues ( hints or clues to help us remember something)
• artificial materials and unrealistic procedures in everyday life, we often learn something and recall it much later

Question 10

Evaluation of the inference theory
- strength

Answer 10

• most studies support inference theory are lab-based so researchers ca control variables eg the time between learning the material and recalling it

Question 11

Define context dependent retrieval failure

Answer 11

• external cues
• failure occurs when the external cues are different on recall than when it was coded

Question 12

Stat dependent revival failure

Answer 12

• internal cues
• failure occurs when the internal environment is different at recall and when coded

Question 13

Define a cue

Answer 13

• a ‘trigger’ of information that allows us to access a memory