Theories Of Forgetting
Theories of forgetting
'Forgetting' can occur at any stage of memory
Encoding (acquisition) - We may fail to 'remember' as information was never encoded to begin with. Storage - Something may occur that interferes with our memory whilst it is being stored (e.g. during the consolidation of memory) - Something may occur that alters our stored memory - Our stored memories may spontaneously decay
Retrieval - We may not have the correct cues required to be able to retrieve the information
Forgetting information from (STM) can be explained using the theories of trace decay and displacement. Forgetting from (LTM) can be explained using the theories of interference and lack of consolidation.
It was assumed that memory can be disrupted or interfered with by what we have previously learned or by what we will learn in the future. This idea suggests that information in long term memory may become confused or combined with other information during encoding thus distorting or disrupting memories.
True Decay
Explanation
True decay is the explanation of forgetting in short term memory assumes that memories leave a trace in the brain. A trace is some form of physical and/or chemical change in the nervous system. Trace decay theory states that forgetting occurs as a result of the automatic decay or fading of the memory trace. Trace decay theory focuses on time and the limited duration of short term memory. This theory suggests short term memory can only hold information for between 15 and 30 seconds unless it is rehearsed. After this time the information / trace decays and fades away. According to the trace decay theory of forgetting, the events between learning and recall have no affect whatsoever on recall. It is the length of time the information has to be retained that is important. The longer the time, the more the memory trace decays and as a consequence more information is forgotten. Ebbinghaus (1885) states forgetting is logarithmic and can be
'Forgetting' can occur at any stage of memory
Encoding (acquisition) - We may fail to 'remember' as information was never encoded to begin with. Storage - Something may occur that interferes with our memory whilst it is being stored (e.g. during the consolidation of memory) - Something may occur that alters our stored memory - Our stored memories may spontaneously decay
Retrieval - We may not have the correct cues required to be able to retrieve the information
Forgetting information from (STM) can be explained using the theories of trace decay and displacement. Forgetting from (LTM) can be explained using the theories of interference and lack of consolidation.
It was assumed that memory can be disrupted or interfered with by what we have previously learned or by what we will learn in the future. This idea suggests that information in long term memory may become confused or combined with other information during encoding thus distorting or disrupting memories.
True Decay
Explanation
True decay is the explanation of forgetting in short term memory assumes that memories leave a trace in the brain. A trace is some form of physical and/or chemical change in the nervous system. Trace decay theory states that forgetting occurs as a result of the automatic decay or fading of the memory trace. Trace decay theory focuses on time and the limited duration of short term memory. This theory suggests short term memory can only hold information for between 15 and 30 seconds unless it is rehearsed. After this time the information / trace decays and fades away. According to the trace decay theory of forgetting, the events between learning and recall have no affect whatsoever on recall. It is the length of time the information has to be retained that is important. The longer the time, the more the memory trace decays and as a consequence more information is forgotten. Ebbinghaus (1885) states forgetting is logarithmic and can be