Editing Forgetting (section)

=== Cue-dependent forgetting ===

[[Cue-dependent forgetting]] (also, [[context-dependent memory|context-dependent forgetting]]) or retrieval failure, is the failure to recall a [[memory]] due to missing [[Stimulus (physiology)|stimuli]] or cues that were present at the time the memory was [[Encoding (memory)|encoded]]. Encoding is the first step in creating and remembering a memory. How well something has been encoded in the memory can be measured by completing specific tests of retrieval. Examples of these tests would be explicit ones like cued recall or implicit tests like word fragment completion.<ref name="memory encoding">Craik, F. M., & Rose, N. S. (2011). Memory encoding and aging: A neurocognitive perspective. Neuroscience And Biobehavioral Reviews</ref> Cue-dependent forgetting is one of five [[cognitive psychology]] theories of forgetting. This theory states that a memory is sometimes temporarily forgotten purely because it cannot be retrieved, but the proper cue can bring it to mind. A good [[metaphor]] for this is searching for a book in a library without the [[Library of Congress Classification|reference number]], title, author or even subject. The information still exists, but without these cues retrieval is unlikely. Furthermore, a good [[Information retrieval|retrieval]] cue must be consistent with the original encoding of the information. If the sound of the word is [[Emphatic consonant|emphasized]] during the encoding process, the cue that should be used should also put emphasis on the [[phonetic]] quality of the word. Information is available however, just not readily available without these cues. Depending on the age of a person, retrieval cues and skills may not work as well. This is usually common in older adults but that is not always the case. When information is encoded into the memory and retrieved with a technique called [[spaced retrieval]], this helps older adults retrieve the events stored in the memory better.<ref name="role of forgetting" /> There is also evidence from different studies that show [[Memory and aging|age related changes in memory]].<ref name="memory encoding" /> These specific studies have shown that [[episodic memory]] performance does in fact decline with age and have made known that older adults produce vivid rates of forgetting when two items are combined and not encoded.<ref name="role of forgetting" />