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Memory. When less is more

D C Riccio1, V C Rabinowitz, S Axelrod

  • 1Department of Psychology, Kent State University, OH 44242-0001.

The American Psychologist
|November 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Forgetting stimulus attributes, unlike response forgetting, can increase behavior. This distinct memory loss principle explains various cognitive phenomena and has significant implications for research.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Memory Research

Background:

  • Forgetting is typically studied as the loss of learned responses.
  • Stimulus attribute memory loss is a distinct phenomenon with different behavioral consequences.
  • Existing research often overlooks the impact of forgetting stimulus characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present evidence for forgetting of stimulus attributes as a distinct memory principle.
  • To explore the methodological and conceptual implications of this memory loss type.
  • To demonstrate how forgetting stimulus attributes accounts for various behavioral phenomena.

Main Methods:

  • Review of animal and human research on memory.
  • Analysis of behavioral phenomena linked to stimulus attribute memory.
  • Conceptual framework development for stimulus attribute forgetting.

Main Results:

  • Evidence supports forgetting of stimulus attributes as a separate memory principle.
  • This type of forgetting can lead to increased, not just impaired, behavior.
  • It provides a unifying explanation for phenomena like eyewitness memory malleability and familiarity effects.

Conclusions:

  • Forgetting stimulus attributes is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of memory.
  • Recognizing this principle is essential for understanding cognitive processes and behavior.
  • Further research is needed to fully explore its implications in various domains.

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