Explanations for forgetting: retrieval failure

Explanations for forgetting: retrieval failure

1. Encoding specificity principle (ESP)

   • Such cues are used ion many mnemonic techniques. Other cues are also encoded at the time of learning.
   • This states if a cue is to help us retrieve information it has to be present at encoding . If cues are different, there will be some forgetting.
   • Tulving (1983) conducted research into retrieval failure. He discovered a pattern in his findings. He summarised these findings into ESP.

2. State dependent forgetting

   • Carter and cassaday (1998) gave anti- histamines to participants.
   • Participants had to learn a list of words and recall the information. This created four conditions.
   • They found performance on the memory test was worse. So when cues are absent, then there is more forgetting.

3. Context dependent forgetting

   • Godden and Baddeley (1975) did a study on deep sea divers.
   • Had to learn a list of words on land or underwater, then recall them on land or on water. This created 4 conditions.
   • Found accurate recall was 40% lower in the non- matching conditions. External cues available at learning were different from the ones at recall. This led to retrieval failure.

4. Evaluation

   • Supporting evidence- wide range of support. Eysenck claims retrieval failure is most important reason for LTM forgetting.
   • Questioning context effects- no forgetting unless contexts are very different, e.g. on land vs underwater (Baddeley).
   • Recall versus recognition- absence of cues affects recall but not recognition.

5. Main reason people forget information is because of insufficient cues.this is due to retrieval failure- not being able to access memories that are there.