Page 1 Theories of Forgetting I. Introduction II. Decay Theory III. Consolidation Theory IV. Interference Theory V. Retrieval Failure VI. Repression VII. Conclusions I. Introduction A. Focusing on Forgetting from LTS Forgetting from SIS: decay, masking Forgetting from STS: displacement Forgetting from LTS? B. Multiple Factors II. Decay Theory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2Pm3vJycWY A. Definition: Spontaneous loss of information over time. Classic Shape of the forgetting curve (Woodworth, 1938) 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0 20 40 60 80 100 Retention Interval
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Theories of Forgetting2 - Middle Tennessee State University
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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
0102030405060708090
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
By NICOLAS MARMIE .c The Associated Press PARIS (Sept. 19, 1997) - Bodyguard Trevor Rees-Jones, the sole survivor of
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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IV. Interference
Theory (cont)
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IV. Interference Theory (cont)
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.
V. Retrieval Failure Theory of Forgetting
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