Forgetting

• Interference Theory


  When we forget things because one memory has disrupted or interfered with another memory
• Interference


  • Occurs when information that is similar in format gets in the way of the information that someone is trying to recall
• Types of interference


  • Retroactive
  • Proactive
• Retroactive interference


  When more recent information gets in the way of trying to recall older information
• Proactive interference


  When old information prevents the recall of newer information
• Past learning interfering with new learning
• Recent (new) learning interfering with old learning
• Defined interference
• Similar= more of issue
• 2 types: Pro, Retro
• Explain real life examples
• Strengths


  • Lab based studies, Underwood- one or two lists or 10 lists, Asked to recall most recent list- more lists =poor, Interfered with one another- showed proactive= matters- validity to theory as controlled laboratory research
• Weaknesses


  • Too controlled- lab based, Task often word lists, Not representative of most real life- e.g remembering birthdays, ingredients, Little time delay between 1st and 2nd lists being presented
• Lacks ecological validity, Lacks realism, Matters: findings from studies are not generalisable, Use evidence with caution
• Field experiment- better- greater ecological validity
• Matters+ claims that interference is worse when information is similar- credibility- showed retroactive
• Factors affecting likelihood of interference

  • Similarity, Time sensitivity
• Retrieval Failure


  Forgetting in LTM is mainly due to retrieval failure. Information is available but you can't access it. This happens when you have insufficient cues.
• Encoding Specificity Principle


  "Memory is most effective if the information that is present at learning/encoding is also present at the time of retrieval."
• Cue-dependent forgetting


  Retrieval due to absence of cues
• Internal (such as mood state) and external (such as temperature and smell) cues can help facilitate recall of a long term memory.
• Lack of access to a memory rather than the availability of a memory.
• When cues at time of encoding are absent at the time of recall - recall will be poor
• Theories claim
• Evidence SUPPORTS: Godden and Baddeley - Divers study, Recalled better when place were encoded matched place they recalled e.g. sea and sea
• MATTERS - gives credibility to the theory - consistent with its claims
• Used repeated measures - demand characteristics - recall better on purpose in matching settings MATTERS- invalid results - use study with CAUTION
• Controlled experiment - different word lists - different days - avoids recall poor/better - DV more likely due to IV - more valid.
• Further evidence comes from Goodwin et al. (1969) alcohol on state-dependent retrieval.
• People encoded information when drunk, they were more likely to recall it in the same state. They hid money and alcohol when drunk, they were unlikely to find them when sober.
• MATTERS because shows when the emotional cues were absent the recall was poor and thus supports the claims of the retrival failure theory giving it credibility.
• BOTH STUDIES filed expereimnt s- more realistic - applied to explain in real life - more generalisable - higher ecological validity - studies credible for this reason to useful to support theory