Psychology Chapter on Forgetting

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Questions and Answers

What is the term for the inability to recall events before the age of 2?

Mnemonic recall

Eidectic imagery

Flashbulb memory

Childhood amnesia (correct)

Which mnemonic device involves creating a story or song to help remember concepts?

Photographic memory

Acronym

Chunking

Narratives (correct)

What are eyewitnesses sometimes unable to distinguish between during testimony?

Visual and auditory experiences

Recent and distant memories

What they saw and what they imagined (correct)

Truth and deception in statements

Which memory type is characterized by a vivid and detailed recall of an event, often related to significant or shocking occurrences?

Flashbulb memory Signup and view all the answers

What is a controversial aspect of recovered memories?

They can be induced by therapeutic techniques Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory task involves identifying previously learned material from an array of options?

Recognition Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that information in memory fades naturally over time if not accessed?

Decay Theory Signup and view all the answers

What is retroactive interference?

Forgetting old information due to the learning of new information Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT biological in nature when considering forgetting?

Lack of attention Signup and view all the answers

What is pseudoforgetting?

Ineffective encoding of information Signup and view all the answers

Which condition is primarily associated with a neurological disorder resulting in severe memory loss?

Alzheimer's disease Signup and view all the answers

Which type of memory depends on the context in which information was learned?

Context-dependent Memory Signup and view all the answers

What type of interference occurs when new learning interferes with the retrieval of old learning?

Retroactive interference Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the inability to retrieve information due to insufficient cues?

Cue-dependent forgetting Signup and view all the answers

Which technique involves relating new information to what you already know?

Elaboration rehearsal Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of mnemonics in memory improvement?

To encode, store, and retain information Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon describes the increased likelihood of recalling information when in the same physiological state as when it was learned?

State-dependent memory Signup and view all the answers

What type of rehearsal involves rote repetition of information to keep it in short-term memory?

Maintenance rehearsal Signup and view all the answers

Psychogenic amnesia is primarily caused by which of the following factors?

Emotional distress Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Method of Loci in memory retention?

To use spatial associations to recall tasks Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Learning Objectives

Students should describe biological factors influencing forgetting.
Students should describe environmental factors influencing forgetting.
Students should differentiate between retroactive and proactive interference.
Students should explain context-dependent and state-dependent memory.

Measuring Forgetting

Psychologists use recall, recognition, and relearning tasks to measure forgetting.
Recall involves retrieving previously learned material.
Recognition involves identifying previously learned material from a set of options.
Recall is generally more difficult than recognition because it requires generating an answer and then determining if it is correct.
Relearning is the process of reacquiring previously learned but largely forgotten information.

Biological Reasons for Forgetting

Memories do not always remain forever.
There are biological explanations for forgetting.

Biological Explanation of Forgetting

Decay theory: Information fades if not accessed, primarily applies to short-term memory.
Passage of time leads to forgetting.
Head injuries, can lead to retrograde amnesia, where individuals can't remember events before the accident.
Other factors contributing to memory loss include surgery, poor diet, and diseases.
Examples include Korsakoff's syndrome (alcohol abuse), and Alzheimer's disease.

Environment and Forgetting

Lack of attention and inadequate rehearsal contribute to forgetting.
Ineffective encoding results in information which may never have been stored.
Interference arises when similar information interferes with the storage or retrieval of other information.

Interference

Retroactive interference: New learning interferes with recalling old learning.
Proactive interference: Older learning interferes with recalling newly learned material.
Similarity in material increases interference.

Situational Factors and Forgetting

Context-dependent memory refers to remembering information more effectively in the same environment where it was originally learned.
Cue-dependent forgetting is the inability to retrieve information due to insufficient cues.
State-dependent memory refers to the ability to remember information better when in the same physiological or mental state as when it was learned.

Forgetting

Repression: Lack of motivation to remember, consciously pushing things from memory.
Amnesia can result from head injuries, brain disease, or psychological dysfunction.
- Psychogenic amnesia is a type of amnesia often triggered by need to escape painful feelings such as guilt, shame, and emotional shock.
- Examples include dissociative amnesia and dissociative fugue.

Improving Memory

Mnemonics are memory aids and techniques.
Organization helps retrieve information.
Concentration focuses attention for proper encoding and storage.
Rehearsal strengthens memory, avoid cramming.
Maintaining information in short-term memory involves rote repetition (maintenance rehearsal).
Elaboration involves connecting new information to existing knowledge.
The method of loci uses associating information with locations or tasks.
Mnemonics combine pieces of information for easier storage (e.g. acronyms, stories).
Narratives create links to improve recall.
Chunking groups related information into smaller units.

Special Topics in Memory

Childhood amnesia: Inability to recall events before age 2.
Eidetic imagery: Photographic memory.
Flashbulb memory: Vivid memory of significant or emotionally arousing events.
Eyewitness testimony: Challenges in accurately recalling details witnessed by an eyewitness.
Recovered memories: Cases of people recalling past traumatic events which are often controversial.

References

Morris, C.G., & Maistro, A.A. (2010). Understanding Psychology (9th Ed.). Prentice Hall.
Rathus, S.A. (2007). Psychology: Concepts and Connections (8th Ed.). Thomson Wadsworth.

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Description

Explore the various biological and environmental factors that influence forgetting in this engaging psychology quiz. Learn to differentiate between different types of memory interference and recall the processes for measuring forgetting. Test your knowledge on context-dependent and state-dependent memory as well.