Retrieval failure due to the absence of cues

• Retrieval failure is when information is available but it cannot be accessed due to the absence of appropriate cues.
• Cues are a trigger of information that allows us to access a memory. Cues improve recall if recall is in the same context as learning.
• Types of cues are context, state and organisation.
• Context (a type of cue)

  Context is important as forgetting can occur when the external environment is different at recall.
• State (a type of cue)

  State is important as forgetting can occur when the internal environment is dissimilar at recall. For example this could be mood or level of intoxication.
• Organisation (a type of cue)

  Organisation is important as forgetting is less likely to occur when the material is organised as organisation can create cues.