Retrieval-Induced Forgetting and Executive Control

Abstract

Retrieving information from long-term memory can lead people to forget previously irrelevant related information. Some researchers have proposed that this retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) effect is mediated by inhibitory executive-control mechanisms recruited to overcome interference. We assessed whether inhibition in RIF depends on executive processes. The RIF effect observed in a standard retrieval-practice condition was compared to that observed in two different conditions in which participants had to perform two concurrent updating tasks that demanded executive attention. Whereas the usual RIF effect was observed when retrieval practice was performed singly, no evidence of forgetting was found in the dual-task conditions. Results strongly suggest that inhibition involved in RIF is the result of executive-control processes.

Attentional Control and Retrieval Induced Forgetting Self-regulation Perspective

“…Finally, Aslan and Bäuml's (2011) research indicate that working memory capacity (WMC) correlates positively with the RIF effect. Other authors obtained the same effect in experiments with additional task or an overload with stress during the practice phase (Kato, 2007;Roman et al, 2009;Koessler, Engler, Riether, & Kissler, 2009). RIF disappeared in the situation of WMC limitation.…”

“…In classical experiments (e.g. Anderson & Spellman, 1995;Anderson et al, 1994;Jakab & Raaijmarks, 2009;Roman et al, 2009) the task causes an overload of executive processes because of: (a) high amount of items (more than 40 pairs of words in six categories), (b) many practice trials (usually each RP+ pair is presented 3 times) extending the duration of the main goal retention in WM, (c) sub-tasks (practice phase and fi lling in questionnaires). Thus, the question is whether RIF will appear if the number of items and repetitions is smaller?…”

“…Anderson et al, 1994;Jakab & Raaijmarks, 2009;Roman et al, 2009). The number of categories was increased to 6, and the number of items ascribed to each category was decreased, also to 6.…”

“…The RIF indicator is derived from comparing the recall rate of NRP items to that of RP-items, i.e. the subtraction of RP-from NRP ( Anderson et al,1994;Roman, Soriano, Gomez-Ariza, & Bajo, 2009;Jakab & Raaijmakers, 2009).…”

Less we forget: Retrieval cues and release from retrieval-induced forgetting

“…This finding is supportive of the inhibition account because, ostensibly, Rp− items with lower taxonomic frequency are not strongly related to the category cue and, therefore, are less likely to compete during practice, decreasing the need for and, hence, the likelihood of inhibition. In fact, Aslan and Bäuml (2010) suggested that an executive control mechanism may be recruited to control this retrieval interference based on their finding that working memory was positively correlated with RIF (see also Román, Soriano, Gómez-Ariza, & Bajo, 2009).…”