FORGETTING

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FORGETTING
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• Forgetting is the inability to recall or retrieve
  previously learned information

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When do we forget?

• Forgetting can occur at any memory stage

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Forgetting because of encoding failure

• Information may never be encoded into LTM

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Short-term memory
Long-term memory
Encoding
Encoding failure leads to forgetting
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Examples of encoding failure

• What letters accompany the number 5 on your
  mobile phone?
• Where is the key y in a computer keyboard?

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Forgetting as retrieval failure

• Not all forgetting is due to encoding failures
• Sometimes information is encoded into LTM, but we
  cant retrieve it

X
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Retrieval failure theories

• Decay theories
• Interference theories

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Forgetting Because of Decay

• Memories fade away or decay gradually if unused
• Time plays critical role
• Ability to retrieve information declines with
  time after original encoding

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Interference theories

• Memories interfering with memories
• Forgetting NOT caused by mere passage of time
• Caused by one memory competing with or replacing
  another memory
• There are two types of interferences

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Two types of interference
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Retroactive interference

• When a NEW memory interferes with remembering OLD
  information
• Example When new phone number interferes with
  ability to remember old phone number

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Proactive interference

• When an OLD memory interferes with remembering
  NEW information
• This is the opposite of retroactive interference
• Example Memories of where you have seen a friend
  last week interfere your ability to remember
  where you saw him today.