Remembering can cause forgetting: Retrieval dynamics in long-term memory.

Abstract

Three studies show that the retrieval process itself causes long-lasting forgetting. Ss studied 8 categories (e.g., Fruit). Half the members of half the categories were then repeatedly practiced through retrieval tests (e.g., Fruit Or). Category-cued recall of unpracticed members of practiced categories was impaired on a delayed test. Experiments 2 and 3 identified 2 significant features of this retrieval-induced forgetting: The impairment remains when output interference is controlled, suggesting a retrieval-based suppression that endures for 20 min or more, and the impairment appears restricted to high-frequency members. Low-frequency members show little impairment, even in the presence of strong, practiced competitors that might be expected to block access to those items. These findings suggest a critical role for suppression in models of retrieval inhibition and implicate the retrieval process itself in everyday forgetting.

New evidence on the suggestibility of memory: The role of retrieval-induced forgetting in misinformation effects.

“…Typically, studies that have explored retrieval-induced forgetting effects have reported differences between RpϪ and Nrp recall performance in the region of Ϫ.10 to Ϫ.19 (see M. C. Anderson et al, 1994; M. C. Anderson & Spellman, 1995;MacLeod, 2002;MacLeod & Macrae, 2001;Macrae & MacLeod, 1999). If our contention is correct, we can make a number of specific predictions.…”

“…We argue that one of the potential mechanisms underlying misinformation effects is retrieval-induced forgetting (i.e., the forgetting of information as a function of remembering other related material; see M. C. Anderson, Bjork, & Bjork, 1994; M. C. Anderson & Spellman, 1995). This effect is thought to be due to the active suppression or inhibition of unwanted material at time of retrieval.…”

“…Bjork, 1989;Johnson, 1994), explicit cues to forget are not required. Rather, such forgetting is considered to be the undirected response to dealing with unwanted related information competing for retrieval (M. C. Anderson, Bjork, & Bjork, 1994, 2000; M. C. Anderson & McCulloch, 1999;M. C. Anderson & Spellman, 1995).…”

“…Using a variation of this basic paradigm (M. C. Anderson et al, 1994), the present inquiry aims to establish whether retrievalinduced forgetting can account for the production of misinformation effects. Typically, studies that have explored retrieval-induced forgetting effects have reported differences between RpϪ and Nrp recall performance in the region of Ϫ.10 to Ϫ.19 (see M. C. Anderson et al, 1994; M. C. Anderson & Spellman, 1995;MacLeod, 2002;MacLeod & Macrae, 2001;Macrae & MacLeod, 1999).…”

The psychology of intelligence analysis: Drivers of prediction accuracy in world politics.

“…Incomplete narratives also tend to be less well organized , and retelling of them affords less rehearsal benefit . Incomplete narrative rehearsal may even result in retrieval-induced forgetting, the phenomenon by which retrieving some elements of a memory trace may result in forgetting of nonretrieved elements (e.g., Anderson, Bjork, & Bjork, 1994), with resultant further trace degradation. Thus, developments in verbal and narrative skill herald cognitive benefits of rehearsal and organization, which are advantageous to memory.…”