Briefly explain how encoding failure, storage decay, and retrieval failure can contribute to forgetting.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Forgetting can occur due to three main factors: encoding failure, storage decay, and retrieval failure. Each of these plays a distinct role in how memories can be lost over time.
Encoding failure occurs when information does not get processed into long-term memory in the first place. If something isn’t encoded properly, it cannot be stored or later retrieved. This often happens when a person isn’t paying full attention to the information or when distractions prevent it from being fully absorbed. For instance, you might forget someone’s name shortly after meeting them because you didn’t encode the information deeply enough.
Storage decay refers to the gradual loss of memory over time. This idea is rooted in the theory of memory decay, which suggests that if memories are not revisited or rehearsed, they begin to fade. The longer a memory goes without being recalled or used, the more likely it is to deteriorate. This process happens naturally as the connections in the brain become weaker and less accessible. For example, a person may forget facts learned years ago in school if they have not been reinforced.
Retrieval failure happens when the memory is stored but cannot be accessed. This is often due to insufficient cues or the inability to trigger the right memory at the right time. Sometimes, the brain may struggle to retrieve information due to interference from other memories or stress. A common example of this is when you “know” a piece of information, but can’t quite recall it in a particular moment, even though it’s still stored in memory.
In summary, forgetting occurs when information either fails to be encoded, deteriorates over time, or becomes temporarily inaccessible due to retrieval difficulties. These factors highlight how memory is a dynamic process subject to a range of internal and external influences.