Tracking induced forgetting across both strong and weak memory representations to test competing theories of forgetting

Abstract

Here we employ a novel analysis to address the question: what causes induced forgetting of pictures? We use baseline memorability as a measure of initial memory strength to ask whether induced forgetting is due to (1) recognition practice damaging the association between the memory representation and the category cue used to activate the representation, (2) the updating of a memory trace by incorporating information about a memory probe presented during recognition practice to the stored trace, (3) inhibitory mechanisms used to resolve the conflict created when correctly selecting the practiced item activates competing exemplars, (4) a global matching model in which repeating some items will hurt memory for other items, or (5) falling into the zone of destruction, where a moderate amount of activation leads to the highest degree of forgetting. None of the accounts of forgetting tested here can comprehensively account for both the novel analyses reported here and previous data using the induced forgetting paradigm. We discuss aspects of forgetting theories that are consistent with the novel analyses and existing data, a potential solution for existing models, proposals for future directions, and considerations when incorporating memorability into models of memory.

Interaction of Perception and Memory

“…In other words, the perceptual features of an image exert a clear influence on what we remember. In fact, memorability predicts how well many different types of visual stimuli will be remembered, including faces (Bainbridge et al, 2013), everyday objects (Maxcey et al, 2021), scenes (Isola et al, 2011), infographics (Borkin et al, 2013), words (Xie et al, 2020), videos (Newman et al, 2020) and even motion in the form of dance (Ongchoco et al, 2022). Intrinsic stimulus memorability not only ranges across many different types of stimuli, but also different types of tasks.…”

“…In this way, these images can be used as a diagnostic tool, and can provide insight into how memory declines with dementia or age. Additionally, memorability can be used to arbitrate different theories of forgetting, as these theories make differing predictions about memorable and forgettable items (Maxcey et al, 2021). For example, a popular theory of forgetting, the inhibition account (Anderson, 2003), predicts that as a consequence of their higher-strength representations, memorable images require more inhibition to suppress in memory.…”

“…Indeed, Maxcey et al (2021) found this exact pattern when determining the cause of recognitioninduced forgetting (see Section 2.2 for further discussion of recognition-induced forgetting), although different evidence suggests this theory may not account for this forgetting effect (Maxcey et al, 2019;Megla et al, 2021). One can also imagine the importance of considering memorability in many real-world scenarios, such as the effect of face memorability when choosing who to put in a line-up for eyewitness testimony (Bainbridge, 2017).…”