Retrieval failure

• What is the encoding specificity principle

  • If cue is to help with triggering of recall-has to be present at encoding and retrieval
  • If cures at encoding and retrieval are different (or simply absent) there will be some forgetting
• What is Context dependent forgetting(CDF)

  • Cues may be external
  • When we learn info cues are encoded alongside
  • If there is an absence of cues at recall context dependent forgetting may happen
• Godden + Baddeley-CDF

  • Procedure- 18 divers learn list of 36 unrelated words-underwater or on land then free recall either underwater or on land
  • Findings-Where environmental contexts and recall was same-better free recall. Where different recall accuracy was much worse-external cues at encoding was different from recall
  • Conclusion-Memory is better when context of learning and retrieval i consistent
• What is State dependent forgetting -SDF

  • Cues can also include internal cues
  • Include mood physiological state or psychological state when they learn the info
  • Absence of internal cues can lead to state dependent forgetting
• Goodwin et al- SDF

  • Procedure- Male volunteers- Recall word list either drunk or sober- Where asked to recall after 24 hours some were sober others were drunk again
  • Findings- ppts had higher recall-same physiological state at learning and recall.
  • Conclusion- Mental/Physiological state that are different at the time of retrieval to encoding makes forgetting more likely
• Strength- (Research support)

  • Strength- Research support
  • Carter + Cassaday- gave ppts antihistamine (drowsiness) or placebo and had to learn word list
  • Same ppts asked to recall words while taking antihistamine or placebo
  • Recall was higher in same physiological state compared to different
  • Supports state dependent forgetting- if internal cue was at encoding and retrieval- more likely to remember
  • If cue was not present at recall forgetting is more likely
  • Increases validity
• Strength (applications)

  • Strength- Real life apps
  • Abernathy- when recalling info imagining yourself in same room to learning (mental reinstatement) can trigger recall
  • Strength- Research into this has led to improving recall in everyday life to recall info
  • Therefore not purely theoretical-can be applied to real world increasing validity
• Weakness (artificiality)

  • Weakness- Relies on artificial evidence
  • In Godden+ Baddeley research-context of learning and recall were extremely diff e.g. on land and underwater
  • Problem- Real life environments are much more similar, even if there is change less likely to cause forgetting
  • Limits apps of retrieval-suggests forgetting due to context cues- cannot explain forgetting in mot everyday situations
  • Reduces validity as evidence support is questionable
• Weakness (depends on type of testing)

  • Limitation- Depends on the ay memory was tested
  • Godden + Baddeley- Replicated using recognition instead of free recall. Found no difference in recall whether they learnt in the same or different context
  • Limitation- Context only affects when testing free recall -when testing on recognition memory is unaffected by context based retrieval failure
  • Therefore is incomplete- not applicable in all situations