Theories of Forgetting2 - Middle Tennessee State University

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Theories of Forgetting

I. IntroductionII. Decay TheoryIII. Consolidation TheoryIV. Interference TheoryV. Retrieval FailureVI. RepressionVII. Conclusions

I. Introduction

A. Focusing on Forgetting from LTSForgetting from SIS: decay, maskingForgetting from STS: displacementForgetting from LTS?

B. Multiple Factors

II. Decay Theoryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Pm3vJycWY

A. Definition: Spontaneous loss of information over time.Classic Shape of the forgetting curve (Woodworth, 1938)

01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0

1 0 0

0 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 0 100Retention Interval

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Decay TheoryB. Supporting Evidence: Woodworth & Schlosberg (1961)

II. Decay Theory

C. Challenges: Jenkins & Dallenbach (1924)Two subjects studied non-sense syllablesThey were tested either immediately, 1, 2, 4 or 8 hours laterDuring the retention interval they either were awakedoing daily activities, or they slept.

If decay is the primary source of forgetting, then the rates of forgetting should be similar in the awake and the sleep conditions.

Jenkins & Dallenback (1924)

Retention Interval (hours)

NumberRecalled

012345678910

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

SleepingAwake

These result suggest that factors other then time significantly contribute to forgetting.

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II. Decay Theory (cont)

D. Further Challenges: Studies of Very-Long-Term MemoryIs there a permanent memory that doesn’t decay?1) Bahrick et al. (1975)Studied retention of names and faces of high school

classmates.

Bahrick et al. (1975) Results

Years Since Graduation

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100

0.25 0.75 2 3.8 7.5 14.5 25.8 34.1 47.6

Free RecallName RecognitionPicture RecognitionPe

rcen

t Cor

rect

Studies of Very-Long Term Memory (cont)

2. Bahrick (1984)Studied retention of Spanish Vocabulary

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II. Decay Theory (cont)

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Time since learning Old information

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F. Conclusions on Decay Theory

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III. Consolidation Theory

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the accident that killed Princess Diana, does not remember the circumstances of the crash, a judicial source said today.

Doctors had said all along that the large doses of anesthesia given to Rees-Jones during surgery, along with the trauma of the accident, might affect his memory.

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F. Conclusions on Consolidation theory

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IV. Interference Theory

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IV. Interference Theory (cont)

A. Assumptions (cont)3. a) Interference occurs when the same stimulus is

associated with more than one response.

b) or, when similar stimuli (S and S’) are associated with different responses.

S

S’S

R2

R1

R1 R2


A. Assumptions (cont)

4. Two mechanisms are responsible for interference:

response competition: multiple responses are elicited by a stimulus

unlearning: new associations cause extinction of the previous responses

SR2

R1


B. Examples of interference in action:

phone numberstennis

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Theory (cont)

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E. Problems with Interference Theory

1. According to Interference Theory, Proactive Interference (PI) is the result of response competition. However, PI continues even when response competition is removed.

2. Interference theory did not satisfactorily explain retrieval failures.

V. Retrieval Failure Theory of Forgetting

A. Basic Assumption:Forgetting is caused by the inability to access

information that is represented in memory.

availability: the information is represented in memory

accessibility: the information that is available can be retrieved at a specific time/place.


B. Demonstration:1. occupation 7. a writing instrument2. dairy product 8. a kind of animal3. circus performer 9. a part of the house4. type of seafood 10. a kind of flower5. part of the body 11. an art form6. a kind of bedroom furniture 12. a kind of vehicle

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Encoding Specificity vs. Generate Edit

Thomson & Tulving (1970) experiment:a) Subjects studied either:

strong associates: e.g., white-blackor weak associates: e.g., train-black

b) memory test contained either:strong cues: e.g. whiteweak cues: e.g. train

Example Materials

TargetWords Strong Associates Weak Associatesloft attic pigeon secret agent societiesplane air elevationclock alarm antique ship anchor nelsonmoney bill dealerknife blade arrow beer bottle tanks

20.2 9.2

13.9 15.7

Encoding Specificity vs. Generate Edit

Thomson & Tulving (1970) experiment (cont)

Results

Test CuesStrong (white ?) Weak (train ?)

Study Strong(white-black)

Cues Weak(train-black)

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F. Conclusions:Very rich description of memory failuresMay be circular:

How could this theory be proved wrong?


VII. Conclusions on ForgettingFour different explanations:decay: minimal role in LTS forgetting

consolidation: disruption occurs under special circumstances

interference theory: explains some forgetting, but the mechanisms need work

retrieval failure: richest, most complete explanation,but may be circular.

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Theories of Forgetting2 - Middle Tennessee State University