A Research On Retrieval-Induced Forgetting And Its Mechanism

Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) is defined as a type of forgetting phenomenon that retrieving part of information can reduce the memory quantity of other related information. In the RIF research field, there are still different opinions on two questions, the one is whether or not the underlying mechanisms of RIF is inhibition; the other is whether or not inhibition processes involve executive-control mechanisms. In this research, Retrieval-practice (RP) paradigm with Chinese words and is adopted in order to explore those two question above.Experiment1employs free recall test to investigate the long term memory feature and the strategy disruption account about RIF. Whether RIF will be influenced by different time interval is also in the discussion. Experiment2employs recognition test to look into the cue-independent character and the theory of associative blocking about RIF. Experiment3discusses whether people with different executive control level show the diversity on RIF with Stroop Paradigm. The main results are as follows:1) In free recall test, significant RIF effect appears, accuracy of Nrp items is significantly higher than Rp-items.2) Different time interval between Retrieval and test has no effect on RIF, this result is object to the strategy disruption account.3) In recognition test, there is significant RIF effect on recognition Precision but not on reaction time, that provide a denial of associative blocking account.4) People with different executive control level are distinguished by Stroop Paradigm. Compare to low-level executive control participants, high-level participants represents more stronger RIF, which demonstrate The Executive Control Mechanism of RIF.