strengths

• Point: A key strength of retrieval failure due to absence of cues is the strong support from research studies.​Evidence: For example, Godden and Baddeley (1975) demonstrated that divers recalled words better when the learning and retrieval environments matched (e.g., learning underwater and recalling underwater).​
• Explanation: This study provides clear evidence for context-dependent forgetting, as it shows how environmental cues can aid or hinder retrieval. It supports the idea that memory recall is influenced by external cues present during encoding.​Link: These findings highlight the reliability of retrieval failure as a valid explanation for forgetting, particularly in naturalistic settings.
• There is research support for the effect of state‐dependent retrieval failure, which occurs when an ​individual’s emotional state at the time of learning is different to their emotional state at the time of ​recall. For example, Goodwin et al. (1969), asked male volunteers to remember lists of words when ​they were either drunk or sober. The participants were then asked to recall the words 24 hours later, in ​either a drunk or sober state. The results of Goodwin et al.
• support Godden and Baddeley, as words ​learned when drunk were better recalled when drunk, and words learnt when sober were better ​recalled when sober. These results support the idea of state‐dependent retrieval failure and ​demonstrate the power of ‘state’ on recalling information.