5. Explanations for forgetting

• What is the Interference Theory?

  • Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten
  • Occurs when information that is similar in format gets in the way of the information that someone is trying to recall
• Why is forgetting thought to occur?

  We cannot access the information, even though it is thought to be available
• What is proactive interference?

  When older information prevents the recall of newer information
• What is retroactive interference?

  When newer information gets in the way of trying to recall older information
• Who carried out research into retroactive interference?


  McGeoch and McDonald
• Describe McGeoch and McDonalds research into retroactive interference


  • Participants had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them 100%
  • Had to learn another list (there were 6 conditions)
  • Synonyms, antonyms, unrelated words, nonsense syllables, 3 digits, no new list
  • Recall of original list was dependent on the second list. Synonyms lists had the worst recall
  • Inference is strongest when memories are similar
• Explanations for forgetting: Interference theory evaluation

  • Research support: Rugby players (Baddeley and Hitch)
  • Interference = more likely to be demonstrated in labs than real life = artificial stimuli
  • Experience of learning doesn't represent real life
• What is the Retrieval Failure Theory?


  • Forgetting in LTM is due to a lack of access to a memory rather than the availability of a memory
  • People forget due to a lack of cues (can be meaningful or may be indirectly linked to being encoded at the time of learning)
• What is a cue?


  A trigger of information, allowing us to access a memory
• What can help facilitate the recall of LTM?


  • When info is initially placed in memory, associated cues are made at the same time
  • If the cues aren't available at the time of recall, info appears as if it has been forgotten i.e. context and state dependent forgetting
• What is Context Dependent Thinking?

  Form of forgetting when recall occurs in a different external setting to coding
• What is State Dependent Thinking?


  Form of forgetting when recall occurs in a different internal setting to coding
• Who researched into cue-dependent thinking?

  Godden and Baddeley
• Describe Godden and Baddeley's research into cue dependent forgetting


  • Divers learned a list of word either on land or underwater and were asked to recall on land or underwater
  • 4 conditions
  • In conditions 1 and 4, where learning and recall conditions matched, recall was 40% higher than in the non matching conditions
  • Concluded that external cues available at learning help trigger memories if they're also there at recall
• Who investigated state-dependent forgetting?

  Carter and Cassady
• Describe Carter and Cassaday's research into state dependent thinking 


  • Antihistamine drugs were given to participants and they had to learn a list of words and passages of prose and recall them when they were under the influence or in a normal state
  • In conditions where there was a mismatch between the internal state at learning and recall, performance was worse
  • Internal cues available at help trigger memories if they are also there at recall
• Explanations of forgetting: Retrieval Failure Theory evaluation

  • Real life application from Baddeley's research into context dependent forgetting
  • Not applicable to everyday life: research to support doesn't reflect real life
  • Low internal validity: impossible to test context dependent forgetting