Evaluation

• Recall versus recognition

  One limitation is that context effects may depend substantially on the type of memory being tested.

  Godden and Baddeley (1980) replicated their underwater experiment but with a recognition test instead of recall. Results showed no context-dependent effect in recognition, indicating that retrieval failure might be a limited explanation for forgetting. This suggests that the impact of context effects on memory may vary depending on the type of memory test employed.
• Real-world application

  • Although not strong, Baddeley says that cues still have an effect on forgetting
  • For example, walking in a room and thinking 'what was I doing?', then returning to the previous room and remembering
  • When we have trouble remembering something, it probably isn't worth the effort to recall the environment in which we first learnt it
  • This shows how research into retrieval failure can remind us of the strategies we use in real life
• Research support

  • Godden & Baddeley and Carter & Cassaday - a lack of relevant cues at recall can lead to state and context-dependent forgetting in everyday life
  • Eysenck and Keane - retrieval failure is perhaps the main reason for forgetting from LTM
  • Therefore, retrieval failure occurs outside of the lab
• Counterpoint to research support

  • Baddeley - context effects are not that strong, especially in everyday life
  • Contexts would have to be very different for an effect to be seen, e.g. Godden and Baddeley's underwater study
  • However, learning and recalling in different rooms is not different enough to have a considerable effect
  • Therefore, lack of context clues may not explain everyday forgetting