Question

Discuss how much decay, interference, and retrieval failure contribute to forgetting.

Answer 1

Memory can be encoded poorly or decay over time resulting in forgetting. Forgetting can be defined as the unsuccessful attempt to recall or remember something. There are many factors that contribute in forgetting. As we know that there are three types of memory stores in our mind Sensory memory store, Short Term Memory (STM), and Long Term Memory (LTM). Sensory memory store stores information for only about a few seconds and after that the memory recently stored in the sensory memory fades away if not transferred into the short term memory. There are two main theories of forgetting out of which one is associated with forgetting in STM and the other is linked with forgetting in the long LTM.

Forgetting information in STM can be explained with the help of Trace Decay Theory. Decay simply means decomposition or destruction. Decay occurs when time causes us to forget. According to this theory Memory make a kind of sketch in our brain. If the memory or the sketch is not recalled immediately the information will decay over period of time and ultimately will be forgotten. This theory suggests that the STM can only store information for 15-30 seconds unless you rehearse it which transfers it to the LTM. After this duration the trace will fade away automatically. If this process goes unused for a long time period then one can suffer the inability to recall the memory properly and will have a poor memory and can slow down the process of learning and rehearsal of memory. But nonuse of a trace will result in memory decay and ultimately leads to retrieval failure. If the information is not used then this process will begin immediately.

Forgetting in LTM can be explained with the help of the Interference Theory and Failure of Retrieval.

Interference means hindrance in a process. It occurs when forgetting is caused by a competing information. Interference is of two types :

• Retroactive Interference - occurs when a newly learned information interferes in recalling of the previously learned information i.e old memories makes it difficult to learn new memory
• Proactive Interference - occurs when previously learned information interferes with newly learned information i.e, old memories stops us from making new memories by replacing them.

According to this theory we fail to remember because memories interfere with other memories creating confusion. Interference also occur in STM due to which we do not get the chance to process the information in a proper manner that is why we don't notice it in the first place.

Retrieval Failure Theory states that we can not access the information that is already stored in the LTM. The information is present in the LTM but we fail to access it because the retrieval cues are absent. Retrieval cues help us to access the information stored in LTM and bring it to our conscious awareness.Retrieval cues can be both external (environment) and internal (Emotions).

Conclusion -

According to Trace Decay theory we are likely to forget an information if we do not recall or rehears it immediately. Forgetting is greatest when we leave it unused for some time. By doing so one can suffer the inability to recall which will result in poor memory means high chances of forgetting things easily.

According to Interference theory old and new memories interfere with each other and makes it difficult to remember information. We can see the examples of interference in our everyday life. But it remains unclear that about how much forgetting is caused due to how much interference.

According to Retrieval Failure Theory , forgetting is greatest when both external and internal retrieval cues are absent. This is because there is no cue present which will help in retrieval of the information.