The diagnostic value of cues in memory recall within retrieval-induced forgetting

Sammanfattning: The present study investigated if the diagnostic value of cues could reduce the need for inhibition operating within the retrieval-practice paradigm, which is part of the retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF). The results of 32 participants (female: 20, age: M = 24.97 years, range: 20 – 32 years) were reported. The method used was a standard RIF procedure with an added manipulation. The category-item pairs were presented with an image in the background that was either specific to the item of the category and in this way the diagnostic value of cues were manipulated. Half of the category-item pairs had unique images associated to them while the other half did not. With the use of unique images as potential cues, a unique memory trace can be established which increases the diagnostic value of the cue. It was hypothesized that with unique images there would not be a RIF effect while there would be with non-unique images. Contrary to the hypotheses, there was a statistically significant RIF-effect with large effect size with the unique cues but not a statistically significant RIF-effect with non-unique cues. The results are discussed in relation to the integration of items that improves recall.