Forgetting explainations

• Interference theory


  Suggests that forgetting occurs due to two memories competing so we are unable to remember something because the memory is affected by a memory we already have

  two types : Proactive and Retroactive
• Proactive interference


  Occurs when information already stored interferes with the attempt to store something new
• Retroactive interference 


  Occurs when new information interferes with old information that is already stored
• Evaluation of interference theory : strengths

  Supporting research evidence : Baddeley and Hitch asked rudgy players to remember the names of teams they had played that season. recall was affected by how many games they played so a players recall was better if theyd had no matche since then. Therefore new information affected the recall supporting retroactive interference
• Evaluation of interference theory : Limitations

  Limited application : does not account for all types of forgetting as for interference to occur the memories have to be similar
• Retrieval failure due to the lack or cues


  States we forget because we lack the correct prompts or cues to recall the information

  encoding specific principle which states the cues that were present when learning the information need to present at the retrieval
• Context dependent forgetting

  We forget if we dont have the same context (external) cues present as when learning the information

  Godden and Baddeley : diver recall study

  group of divers learnt a list of words either underwater or on land. Then some had to recall the words in the same context while others were in different

  recall was greatest in the same context
• State dependant recall


  states we forget if we do not have the same state ( internal) clues present as when we learnt it

  Goodwin et al : how mental state investigated our recall. Asked volunteers to remember a list of words when either sober or drunk then to recall the list 24 hours later in either the same or opposite state

  results showed more likely to remember of we recall it in the same emotional state
• Evaluation of retrieval failure due to absence of cues : strengths

  Supporting research: Baker et al found context was useful in recall. Participants more likely to recall a list of words when they chewed gum learning and recalling of words. Shows when the context chnages we are more likely to forget
• Evaluation of retrieveal failure due to absence of cues : limitations

  Incomplete explanation : not a full explaination of forgetting as some memories that are significant or important enough are easily remembered despite cues

  contradicts the explanation as we dont have tonhave the same cues to recall a memory