Explanations for forgetting: retrieval failure

Retrieval failure theory- when info is originally placed in memory, associated cues are stored as well and if these cues are not available at recall time it may seem as if you have forgotten but in fact it is due to retrieval failure.

Encoding specificity principle- Tulvig reviewed research into RF and found consistent pattern.

Context dependent forgetting- Godden and Baddeley studied sea divers underwater

State dependent forgetting-Carter and Cassaday (19998) gave participants anti histamines (mild sedative effects causing slight drowsy feeling). Creates internal physiological state different from normal state (being awake and alert). Participants had to learn list of words then recall (learn on drug, recall on drug, learn on drug, recall not on drug and vice versa)

Divers learnt list of words either underwater or on land and were then asked to recall either underwater or on land

Found recall was 40% lower in non matching conditions. External cues at learning were different to those at recall so this led to retrieval failure

Strength

Limitations

Lots of supporting evidence (Godden and Baddeley) increases validity for explanation especially when retrieval failure occurs in life situations and not just lab settings

Pattern is ESP states that if a cue is to hep us recall information, it has to be present at encoding and at retrieval. If the cues available at encoding and retrieval are different there will be some forgetting.

Context dependent forgetting (external cues) and state dependent forgetting (internal cues)

Worse recall on mismatch between internal state at learning and recall. When cues are absent, there is more forgetting

Real life applications of retrieval failure due to contextual cues don't explain much forgetting

Context effects means that presence of absence of cues only affects memory when you test it in a certain way