1. Theories of forgetting
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2. Theories of forgetting
To understand the nature of forgetting it is necessary to make a distinction between the following:
availability: is the information still stored?
accessibility: can it be retrieved at will?

3. Trace decay
Learning something creates a memory or ‘engram’ which gradually fades
This affects both STM and LTM

4. Displacement
There are only a limited number of slots in STM – if new information is taken in then some old information must be ‘knocked out’ (displaced)
This is a STM theory of forgetting

5. Interference
The existing memory is distorted in some way, either by something learned in the past (proactive interference) or by something learned in the future (retroactive interference) This affects both STM and LTM

6. Lack of consolidation
When we take in new information a certain amount of time is necessary for changes to the nervous system to take place
In the consolidation process, forgetting can occur when consolidation is prevented.
This is a STM theory of forgetting

7. Retrieval failure
‘Cues’ are important – we are likely to remember information better if we recall it in the same state and context that it was learned in the first place This is a LTM theory of forgetting

8. Motivated forgetting
Normally taken to mean ‘motivated forgetting’ in that people unconsciously ‘repress’ (push back) painful or disturbing memories. This is a LTM theory of forgetting

9. Task
Read about each of these theories, their studies and the evaluative comments Make notes in your booklet on page 27