Retrieval failure

• What does retrieval failure mean?

  That we forget because even if the memory isn’t available, we don’t have the cues to access it
• What is the encoding specificity principle?

  the theory that we will remember more if cues that encoded at the initial learning point are also present at recall
• How are cues encoded?

  Either meaningfully or not meaningfully
• What is an example of something encoded meaningfully?

  A mnemonic
• What do cues not encoded meaningfully relate too?

  Where we were when we learned the information and emotional state we were in
• What is context dependent forgetting based off?

  Context dependent memory
• What is the context dependent memory?

  When we unconsciously encode information about our surroundings at the same time as learning information
• Why does context dependent forgetting occur?

  Because the memory becomes dependent on those external cues and without them we experience context dependent forgetting
• What were scuba divers in the study required to do?

  Learn a list of words and recall them
• What were the 4 conditions?

  Learn on land - recall on land

  Learn on land - recall underwater

  learn underwater - recall on land

  Learn underwater - recall underwater
• What were the findings of the study?

  Accuracy of recall was 40% lower when they recalled it in a different place to where they learnt it
• What did the findings show?

  How environmental cues act as a trigger for recall
• What is state dependent forgetting based off?

  State dependent memory
• What is state dependent memory?

  Means we have better recall if our internal biological or emotional state is the same at recall then it was when we learnt it
• Why does state dependent forgetting occur?

  When our biological or emotional state is different at recall to the time of learning then our recall is worse
• What were those in the alcohol recall study required to do?

  Learn a list of words when drunk and tested 24hours later
• What condition was different for some participants in the alcohol study?

  Some were required to be drunk at recall and some sober
• What were the findings of the alcohol study?

  Those that were drunk at both learning and recall had the best recall
• What did the findings show?

  That internal mental states act as a cue to access memories
• What are the weaknesses of this theory?

  Encoding specificity principle is untestable

  Context dependent forgetting depends on the memory being tested
• What Is assumed in encoding principle?

  That if a stimulus leads to retrieving a memory then it was encoded at the time of learning - and if it doesn’t lead to recall then it wasn’t
• what is wrong with these assumptions?

  They can’t be tested which means we can’t be sure if the absence of cues causes forgetting
• What did a replication of the scuba study show?

  It used a recognition test rather then a recall test and found no difference in recall between place of learning and recall
• What do the findings of the second scuba study suggest?

  That contextual cues only affect memory when tested in a certain way
• What were the strengths of this theory?

  A better explanation than interference

  real world application
• Why is it suggested that retrieval failure is a better explanation?

  in a study where participants were required to learn list of words in different categories proactive interference occurred
• What then happened in the word study?

  When given a cue recall increased to 70%
• What is the real world application?

  The police use the encoding specificity principle to develop the cognitive interview
• What do the police do in the interview?

  They use context reinstatement which increases recall
• What are witnesses also encouraged to do?

  Visualise surroundings or recall emotional state