When we don't have the cues we need to access a memory
Cues
Triggers to something, can be meaningful or just present when info was encoded, can be internal (mood) or external (room we were in)
Encoding specificity principle
For a cue to help us recall, it must be present during coding and recall
Context dependent forgetting
When external retrieval cues at coding and recall don't match, e.g. getting lower marks in a test because you learnt in one room and recalled in another
State dependent forgetting
When internal retrieval cues at coding and recall don't match, e.g. trying to recall information you learnt sober when drunk
Evaluation of retrieval failure
• supporting research - Godden & Baddeley , Carter & Cassaday
• real life application
• overcoming interference with cues - Tulving & Psotska
