Final answer:
Cue-dependent forgetting occurs when the absence of specific cues prevents retrieval of information from long-term memory. Interference, either proactive or retroactive, also contributes to forgetting when old and new information conflict. Strategies such as mnemonics and rehearsal help in retaining memories.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sometimes we forget because nothing triggers our memory of a specific bit of information. This phenomenon is referred to as cue-dependent forgetting. Cue-dependent forgetting occurs when the necessary cues to retrieve a memory are not present. It's not that the memory is lost from long-term storage; it's just that the individual is unable to access it without certain cues or triggers.
Interference is another form of forgetting that involves conflicts between newly learned and old information. There are two types of interference: proactive interference, where old information hinders the recall of new information, and retroactive interference, where new information interferes with the recall of old information.
The goal is to manage these processes to enhance memory retention. Memory-enhancing strategies such as mnemonics, rehearsal, self-referencing, and ensuring adequate sleep can aid in moving information from short-term to long-term memory, circumventing both cue-dependent forgetting and interference.