Forgetting: Causes, Theories, and Real-World Applications

Question 1

According to decay theory, what causes forgetting?

Accepted Answer

Time

Answer

Lack of retrieval

Answer

Interference from other memories

Answer

Motivated forgetting

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of proactive interference?

Accepted Answer

Studying for a test on current material after studying for a test on previous material

Answer

Trying to remember a childhood memory

Answer

Reading a new book after finishing an old one

Answer

Taking a test on material that was learned earlier

Question 3

According to decay theory, what happens to memories over time?

Accepted Answer

They gradually weaken

Answer

They become more accessible

Answer

They are actively suppressed

Answer

They remain unchanged

Question 4

Which of the following is a key component of the encoding failure theory of forgetting?

Accepted Answer

Failure to encode information

Answer

Interference from other memories

Answer

Motivated forgetting

Answer

Decay of memories over time

Question 5

How does rehearsal typically affect memory?

Accepted Answer

It strengthens memories and reduces forgetting

Answer

It weakens memories and increases forgetting

Answer

It has no effect on forgetting

Answer

The relationship between rehearsal and forgetting is complex and depends on other factors

Question 6

According to decay theory, what is the main reason for forgetting?

Accepted Answer

Memories gradually weaken over time if not used or recalled.

Answer

New information hinders the retrieval of stored memories.

Answer

Unpleasant memories are subconsciously suppressed for protection.

Question 7

Motivated forgetting is thought to arise from:

Accepted Answer

Repression of unpleasant memories

Answer

Neurological damage

Answer

Insufficient sleep

Answer

Poor memory strategies

Question 8

Experimental research on forgetting offers the advantage of:

Accepted Answer

Precise control over variables

Answer

High ecological validity

Answer

Generalizability to real-world settings

Answer

Protection of participant confidentiality

Question 9

According to Ebbinghaus' findings, the rate of forgetting initially:

Accepted Answer

Accelerates rapidly

Answer

Remains constant

Answer

Proceeds slowly

Answer

Varies unpredictably

Question 10

A failure to retrieve information from memory, despite it being stored, is termed:

Accepted Answer

Tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon

Answer

Amnesia

Answer

Retroactive interference

Answer

Proactive interference

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism for forgetting according to the interference theory?

Accepted Answer

Decay

Answer

Proactive Interference

Answer

Retroactive Interference

Question 12

Which type of forgetting occurs when people deliberately suppress memories that are unpleasant or threatening?

Accepted Answer

Motivated forgetting

Answer

Decay theory

Answer

Interference theory

Answer

Retroactive inhibition

Question 13

Retroactive interference refers to:

Accepted Answer

Forgetting old information due to learning new information.

Answer

Forgetting new information due to learning old information.

Answer

Forgetting information due to lack of rehearsal.

Answer

Forgetting information due to the passage of time.

Question 14

Proactive interference refers to:

Accepted Answer

Forgetting new information due to learning old information.

Answer

Forgetting old information due to learning new information.

Answer

Forgetting information due to lack of rehearsal.

Answer

Forgetting information due to the passage of time.

Question 15

The tip-of-the-tongue phenomenon occurs when:

Accepted Answer

You can recall some information about a forgotten item but not the specific details.

Answer

You completely forget an item and cannot recall any information about it.

Answer

You recognize an item when prompted but cannot recall how you know it.

Answer

You recall an item but cannot remember the context in which you learned it.

Question 16

The misinformation effect refers to:

Accepted Answer

The tendency to incorporate new information into existing memories, even if the new information is incorrect.

Answer

The tendency to forget information over a long period.

Answer

The tendency to recall information in a distorted way.

Answer

The tendency to suppress memories that are unpleasant or threatening.

Question 17

Clive Wearing had anterograde amnesia, which means he:

Accepted Answer

Could not remember events that happened after his amnesia.

Answer

Could not remember events that happened before his amnesia.

Answer

Could not remember any events, regardless of when they happened.

Answer

Had difficulty with both anterograde and retrograde amnesia.

Question 18

The hippocampus is a brain structure that plays a crucial role in:

Accepted Answer

Both encoding and retrieving memories.

Answer

Encoding new memories.

Answer

Retrieving old memories.

Answer

Neither encoding nor retrieving memories.

Question 19

An example of motivated forgetting is:

Accepted Answer

A person purposefully suppressing memories of a distressing event to protect their emotional well-being

Answer

Misplacing keys due to distraction or carelessness

Answer

Temporarily forgetting the answer to a test question due to anxiety

Answer

Struggling to recall the name of an acquaintance due to lack of familiarity

Question 20

According to Hermann Ebbinghaus' forgetting curve, the rate of forgetting:

Accepted Answer

Is initially rapid, gradually slowing down over time

Answer

Accelerates as the retention period increases

Answer

Is relatively constant throughout the retention period

Answer

Fluctuates unpredictably due to external factors

Question 21

Which of the following is a potential explanation for motivated forgetting?

Accepted Answer

Defense mechanisms employed by the mind to shield us from potentially distressing or traumatic memories

Answer

The natural fading of memory traces over time due to lack of rehearsal

Answer

Physical damage to brain structures responsible for memory storage

Answer

Insufficient attention or encoding of information during the learning process

Question 22

Emotions play a role in memory. Which emotion is generally considered to enhance memory consolidation and retrieval?

Accepted Answer

Arousal

Answer

Boredom

Answer

Sadness

Answer

Anxiety