Explanations for forgetting

Question 1

interference definition

Answer 1

• one memory disturbs the ability to recall another
• may result in forgetting or distortion of memory
• more likely if the memories are similar

Question 2

proactive interference

Answer 2

previously learnt info interferes with the new information

Question 3

retroactive interference

Answer 3

a new memory interferes with an old memory

Question 4

retrieval failure

Answer 4

• forgetting due to lack of cues
• the issue related to the memory being available but not accessible

Question 4

encoding specificity princple

Answer 4

• Tulving and Thompson ‘73
• memory most effective when info present at the time of encoding is also present at the time of retrieval

Question 4

context dependent failure

Answer 4

when environmental cues are missing

Question 5

state dependent failure

Answer 5

when an individual’s emotional state is different when trying to recall information

Question 6

Carter and Cassidy 1998

Answer 6

• gave ppts anti histamine to make them drowsy
• either learn and recall both on or off drugs or learn on, recall off or visa versa
• recall worse on conditions with mismatched states

Question 7

Abernathy 1940

Answer 7

• test effects on context dependent failure
• tested student on info they learnt either in the same or different room with either the same or different instructor
• group w same room same instructor scored the best

Question 8

forgetting: interference limitations

Answer 8

• uses artificial stimuli e.g. muller and Pilzecker nonsense syllables
• better explanations for forgetting e.g. retrieval failure when info isn’t similar
• individual differences e.g. Kane and Engle- diff wm spans affect interference levels

Question 9

forgetting: interference strengths

Answer 9

• real life research e.g. Danaher et al -advertising

Question 10

retrieval failure strengths

Answer 10

• research support ( Abernathy: students 4 conditions)
• real world applications e.g Abernathy: revising in room taking test

Question 11

retrieval failure limitations

Answer 11

• retrieval cues don’t always work e.g learning complex associations
• lack of cause and effect e.g. nairne correlation between cues but they don’t cause retrieval

Question 12

Underwood 1957

Answer 12

• analysed findings from studies
• concluded when ppts have to learn a series of words around 10 lists they remember around 20% but if they’re learning one list they remember around 70%

Question 13

Muller and Pilizecker 1900

Answer 13

gave ppts a list of nonsense syllables to learn for 6 minutes then asked them to recall after a retention interval
- performance decreased if ppts were given a task during the retention interval

Question 14

paired associate testing

Answer 14

• common way to test proactive interference and retroactive interference using word pairs that name something in common