Explanations for forgetting

Explanations for forgetting

1. Interference

   • Proactive - works forwards in time. When information stored previously interferes with new information being learned.
   • Retroactive - works backwards in time. When new information intervenes with previously stored information.
   • McGeoch and McDonald (1931)
     • A - to investigate the effects of similarity on memory
       • P - Participants were given a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy. There were then 6 conditions: synonyms, antonyms, unrelated words, consonant syllables, three digit numbers and no list
         • F - the most similar list produced the worst recall
           • C - interference is strongest when the memories are similar
             • Strengths
               • Baddeley and Hitch (1977)'s study on rugby players supports this
             • Weaknesses
               • Low mundane realism
   • Evaluation
     • Strengths
       • RS
     • Weaknesses
       • Only explains forgetting when two things are similar, not applicable to most real-life situations.
       • Mundane realism - low external validity
       • Doesn't explain the cognitive processes underlying

2. Retrieval Failure

   • When information is in the LTM but cannot be accessed.
   • Tulving (1973) referred to this as the encoding-specificity principle - that recall is dependent on accessing the retrieval cue
   • 2 main forms
     • Context-dependent - external retrieval cues
       • Abernathy (1940) found that people performed worse when being tested in a unfamiliar room
       • Godden and Baddeley (1975) got divers to remember information while underwater or on land. Recall was found to be worse when in a different context.
     • State-dependent - internal retrieval cues
       • Overton (1972) got participants to learn the material while drunk or sober. He found that recall was worse when participants were in a different internal state.
       • Darley et al. (1973) found similar results in participants hiding things while on marijuana.
   • Evaluation
     • Weaknesses
       • Godden and Baddeley's study only worked on remembering information, not when recognising if a word was in the list. Not applicable to all forms of forgetting.
     • Strengths
       • RS