Explanations for Forgetting

• Interference


  An explanation for forgetting where long-term memories get confused with other memories when they're coded
• Proactive interference


  • Old information interferes with the recall of newer information
• Retroactive interference


  • New information interferes with the recall of older information
• Proactive interference scenarios


  • Scenarios where old information disrupts recall of new information
• Retroactive interference scenarios


  • Scenarios where new information disrupts recall of old information
• Factors that make interference more likely

  • Similarity of information
  • Short time difference between learning information
• Research showing retroactive interference by Schmidt
• Research showing proactive interference by Greenberg and Underwood
• Cue dependent forgetting


  Information is in long-term memory but can't be accessed due to lack of correct cues or prompts
• Types of retrieval cues


  • Context dependent
  • State dependent
  • Category dependent
• Research demonstrating context dependent cues by Godden and Baddeley
• Research demonstrating state dependent cues by Overton
• Research demonstrating category dependent cues by Tulving and Pearlstone
• Evaluations of explanations for forgetting

  • Practical applications
  • Temporary process
  • Can't explain all everyday examples
  • Lack of mundane realism in research