Forgetting theories

• Retrieval failure theory


  We sometimes forget because we lack or fail to use the right cues to retrieve information stored in LTM
• Retrieval cue


  Any stimulus that assists the process of locating and recovering information stored in the LTM
• Retrieval cues act as prompts
• Memories stored in the LTM are available and not actually forgotten
• Memories can be temporarily inaccessible because of an inappropriate or faulty cue
• A limitation of retrieval failure theory is that it doesn’t explain forgetting due to anxiety-related memories, brain trauma, or memories that interfere with one another
• Interference theory


  Forgetting in the LTM occurs because other memories interfere with the retrieval of what we are trying to recover
• The more similar the information, the more likely that interference will occur
• The closer in time that the information was learnt, the more interference will occur
• Types of interference


  • Retroactive interference
  • Proactive interference
• Retroactive interference


  When new information interferes with the ability to remember old information
• Proactive interference


  Information learnt previously can interfere with our ability to remember new information
• Motivated forgetting


  Forgetting that arises from a strong motive or desire to forget
• Repression


  Unconsciously blocking a memory of an event or experience from entering conscious awareness
• Suppression


  Involves being motivated to forget an event or experience by deliberately trying to keep it out of conscious awareness
• Decay theory


  Forgetting occurs because the neural representation of a memory fades through disuse as time passes
• Decay theory is the earliest theory of forgetting
• Decay theory is not a psychological theory but more of a physiological theory
• The passage of time may contribute to forgetting both in sensory memory and STM, but not LTM