Process of forgetting and remembering

• Forgetting


  The inability to retrieve memories
• Types of forgetting


  • Retrieval failure
  • Interference
  • Motivated forgetting
• Retrieval failure


  The inability to consciously recall information stored in the long-term store due to the absence of retrieval cues that could trigger retrieval
• Interference


  When information in the long-term cannot be retrieved due to it being disrupted by similar information
• Proactive interference


  • Previously stored information interferes with the retrieval of new learning
  • For example, remembering a new friends phone number after learning their old one
• Retroactive interference


  • New learning interferes with the retrieval of previously learnt information
  • For example, trouble recalling how to play the guitar after learning the piano
• Motivated forgetting


  The intentional or unintentional suppression of memories or thought from conscious awareness to minimise emotional distress
• Repression


  • Unconscious and involuntary
• Suppression


  • Conscious and deliberate
• Decay theory


  Theory that suggest that memories fade over time
• Process of Remembering


  • Recall
  • Recognition
  • Relearning
• Recall


  The process of retrieving information from the long-term memory without the aid of cues to retrieve information
• Types of recall


  • Free recall
  • Serial recall
  • Cued recall
• Free recall


  • Retrieval of as much information as possible in any order
  • For example, naming the teachers at school
• Serial recall


  • The retrieval of information in a set order
  • For example, list the class from oldest to youngest
• Cued recall


  • Provided cues to help with the retrieval of memory
  • For example, filling in missing words in a sentence
• Recognition


  The ability to identify previously stored information by matching stimuli to stored memories
• In recognition tasks, individuals select the correct answer from a set of alternative options
• Recognition tasks are more successful then recall because they offer more retrieval cues
• Relearning


  Reacquiring knowledge or skills that were previously learnt but may have decayed over time