Point: One limitation of the retrieval failure explanation is that many studies supporting it lack ecological validity.Evidence: For instance, studies like Godden and Baddeley’s (1975) underwater experiment are conducted in artificial settings, which may not reflect how people experience memory retrieval in real life.
Explanation: While these studies are controlled, they do not replicate everyday situations where retrieval failure occurs, making it difficult to generalise the findings to more natural settings. Real-life memory retrieval is often influenced by a variety of unpredictable factors, such as distractions or emotions, which are not considered in controlled experiments.Link: Therefore, while retrieval failure provides a plausible explanation in lab conditions, its application to everyday memory retrieval remains uncertain.
