Question

Your task is to discuss the role of forgetting in your life. When you were in the fifth grade you knew the capital cities of all 50 states. Now you cannot recall them.

A) Describe the theories that attempt to explain why you forgot the information (Decay Theory, Interference Theory) and Amnesia (retrograde and anterograde).
B) Apply each theory as an explanation of why you would be unable to recall the fifty capitals.

Answer 1

Forgetting can be explained by the Decay Theory and Interference Theory. In the case of not being able to recall the capitals of the 50 states, both theories can be applied. Amnesia, specifically retrograde amnesia, can also contribute to forgetting. option b.

Step-by-step explanation:

Theories that attempt to explain forgetting are the Decay Theory and the Interference Theory. The Decay Theory suggests that forgetting occurs due to the fading or decay of memories over time. In the case of the capitals of the 50 states, the information may have simply faded with the passage of time.

The Interference Theory suggests that forgetting occurs due to interference from other memories. In this case, proactive interference may have played a role, where old information, such as the capitals of the states, hindered the recall of newly learned information.

Amnesia can also contribute to forgetting. Retrograde amnesia, which is the loss of memory for events that occurred prior to a brain injury, can explain the inability to recall the capitals of the states. If there was a brain injury that affected the storage of memories, it could result in difficulty retrieving previously learned information like the capitals.