Flashcards
retrieval failure
Cards in this deck (18)
- 1According to the retrieval failure theory, why does forgetting occur?Because we cannot retrieve the information from the long term memory
- 2What is retrieval failure?Also known as cue dependent forgetting, retrieval failure states that forgetting occurs due to the absence of cues.
- 3What are cues?They serve as a reminder for the information we are trying to recall because these cues were encoded at the time of learning.
- 4What does the encoding specificity principle state?Memory is most effective when information present at the time of encoding is present at the time of retrieval
- 5According to the encoding specificity principle, when does forgetting occur?When retrieval cues are absent
- 6What are the first type of retrieval cues?Meaningful cues
- 7Explain this type of cue.Cues often have a meaningful link to the information that is being learnt, so forgetting is more likely to occur when meaningful cues are absent
- 8What is the second type of cue?Context-dependent forgetting
- 9explain the second kind of cueExternal cues, such as the environment we were in at the time of learning, can remind us of the material learnt. Therefore, forgetting is more likely to occur when the environment where we learn is different to the environment where we recall the info.
- 10what is an example of context cues?Doing your cedar in the same classroom where you learnt the information
- 11What is the third type of cue?State dependent forgetting
- 12Explain the third kind of cueInternal cues, such as our mental/emotional state we were in at the time of learning, can remind us of the material we learnt. Therefore, forgetting is more likely to occur when your state when learning info is different to your state when recalling info.
- 13what is an example of a state dependent cue?Being sick/having a headache
- 14What is a strength of retrieval failure?It has supporting evidence. Baddeley conducted a study where he split his participants into two groups- one group memorised words underwater while the other memories words on shore. Then, half of these groups recalled the words in their original context while the other halves recalled the words in the opposite context. Results showed 40% more words were recalled by those recalling in their original context. Those in the other context forgot. SImilar results were shown by Tulving and Pearlstone, who found that more words were recalled when the participants were given cues. This increases the validity of the retrieval theory
- 15What is another strength of the retrieval theory?The supporting research comes from lab experiments, which have high internal validity. In Tulving and Pearlstone's research, they had high control over variables and could control the conditions. This meant that it was easy to establish a cause and effect and know that the independent variable is causing the dependent variable. Therefore, the results produced from this study are valid.
- 16What is a weakness for the retrieval theory?Research into the retrieval theory lacks mundane realism. Tulving and Pearlstone's lab experiment took place in artificial conditions that don't represent real life. This makes it difficult to apply the research as we don't know whether the same results would be achieved if the study was carried out in a more natural environment. Therefore, the research lacks validity so we can't apply the theory to real life.
- 17What is a strength of retrieval failure?Retrieval failure is supported by real life evidence. Aggleton and Waskett recruited participants who had visited the yorvik centre 6-7 years before. The Yorvik museum contains historically accurate smells. Participants were tested on their memory of the museum, but one group had the smells present and the other didn't. The group who were not accompanied by smells forgot the most information. This means contextual cues are important in helping us to recall information accurately.
- 18What is a final weakness of retrieval failure?The encoding specificity principle is impossible to test scientifically. While there is a definite link between cues present at encoding and retrieval, we cannot say that these cues cause retrieval. We also assume that if someone recalls the information accurately, it is because the cues were present and when they don't, it's because the cues haven't been encoded/aren't present. However, this is called circular reasoning and is a flawed argument. This means retrieval failure is not a valid explanation of forgetting.
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- GCSE Psychology Flashcards on retrieval failure, created by Emily Mawson on 02/09/2020.
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- Emily Mawson
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