Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength

Retrieval practice of previously studied material can impair subsequent memory for related unpracticed material. An emerging view holds that such retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) may affect episodic recollection, but not the context-free familiarity of the affected items. Here, a survey of accruin...

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Main Author: Bernhard eSpitzer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2014-09-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01102/full
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author Bernhard eSpitzer
author_facet Bernhard eSpitzer
author_sort Bernhard eSpitzer
collection DOAJ
description Retrieval practice of previously studied material can impair subsequent memory for related unpracticed material. An emerging view holds that such retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) may affect episodic recollection, but not the context-free familiarity of the affected items. Here, a survey of accruing recent findings of RIF in recognition tests shows that the impairment of unpracticed material depends vitally on baseline memory strength. Therein, the absence of RIF under specific conditions, previously taken as evidence for the immunity of familiarity, can be predicted on grounds of exceedingly low baseline levels. Similarly, differential RIF effects on the parameters of dual-process recognition models can be explained by baseline differences, suggesting that RIF might impair any sub-process that substantially contributes to overall recognition accuracy. By contrast, the strengthening of practiced material appears independent of baseline levels and does not predict the magnitude of RIF, in accordance with an inhibitory causation of the forgetting. In summary, the inventory presents RIF in recognition as a subtle proportional impairment, future illumination of which may demand increased attention to baseline memory levels.
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spelling doaj.art-bf7136cbd9c54b8dbd6c9c953dea323d2022-12-22T03:21:28ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782014-09-01510.3389/fpsyg.2014.0110296788Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strengthBernhard eSpitzer0Freie Universität BerlinRetrieval practice of previously studied material can impair subsequent memory for related unpracticed material. An emerging view holds that such retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) may affect episodic recollection, but not the context-free familiarity of the affected items. Here, a survey of accruing recent findings of RIF in recognition tests shows that the impairment of unpracticed material depends vitally on baseline memory strength. Therein, the absence of RIF under specific conditions, previously taken as evidence for the immunity of familiarity, can be predicted on grounds of exceedingly low baseline levels. Similarly, differential RIF effects on the parameters of dual-process recognition models can be explained by baseline differences, suggesting that RIF might impair any sub-process that substantially contributes to overall recognition accuracy. By contrast, the strengthening of practiced material appears independent of baseline levels and does not predict the magnitude of RIF, in accordance with an inhibitory causation of the forgetting. In summary, the inventory presents RIF in recognition as a subtle proportional impairment, future illumination of which may demand increased attention to baseline memory levels.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01102/fullSignal detectionepisodic memoryrecognitionFamiliarityRecollectionretrieval-induced forgetting
spellingShingle Bernhard eSpitzer
Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength
Frontiers in Psychology
Signal detection
episodic memory
recognition
Familiarity
Recollection
retrieval-induced forgetting
title Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength
title_full Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength
title_fullStr Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength
title_full_unstemmed Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength
title_short Finding retrieval-induced forgetting in recognition tests: A case for baseline memory strength
title_sort finding retrieval induced forgetting in recognition tests a case for baseline memory strength
topic Signal detection
episodic memory
recognition
Familiarity
Recollection
retrieval-induced forgetting
url http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01102/full
work_keys_str_mv AT bernhardespitzer findingretrievalinducedforgettinginrecognitiontestsacaseforbaselinememorystrength