Retrieval Failure

Retrieval Failure

1. Absence of cues

2. Encoding Specificity Principle

   • Tulving found that cue need to be present at encoding and present at retrieval
     • Called encoding specificity principle (ESP)
   • Context-dependent forgetting recalls depending on external cues (weather/place etc)
   • State-dependent forgetting recalls depending on internal cues (feelings etc)
   • Some cues encoded at time of learning in a meaningful way
     • These cues are used in mnemonic techniques

3. Research on context-dependent forgetting

   • Godden and Baddeley studied deep-sea divers who work uynderwater to see if training on land helped or hindered their learning
   • Four Conditions of learning words:
     • Learn on land recall on land
     • Learn on land recall in water
     • Learn in water recall in water
     • Learn in water recall on land
   • Accurate recall 40% lower in non-matching conditions

4. Research on state-dependent forgetting

   • Carter and Cassaday gave antihistamines because they make you slightly drowsy
     • Changes internal physiological state to slightly drowsy
   • Four conditions of learning words:
     • Learn drowsy, recall drowsy
     • Learn drowsy, recall not drowsy
     • Learn not drowsy, recall not drowsy
     • Learn not drowsy, recall drowsy
   • Significant worse recall with mismatched internal state and recall
   • When cues are absent there's more forgetting