When is retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) evident?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

First, let's set the stage by recalling what retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) predicts in memory experiments: practicing some items (RP+) typically enhances recall for those items, while unpracticed related items (RP-) tend to be recalled less well than baseline or non-retrieved items (NRP) that were not part of the retrieval practice.
Option 1: 'When RP+ items are outperformed by RP- items' — This would imply that the practiced items are remembered worse than the unpracticed related items, which directly contradicts the core finding of RIF where practice helps RP+ items. Therefore, this option does not reflect RIF.
Option 2: 'When RP+ items are outperformed by NRP items' — While this would indicate a strong detrimental effect for practiced items, RIF is characterized by the suppression of RP- items, not a failure of RP+ items relative to the non-retrieved baseline. Practiced items are typically boosted, so this option is not consistent with RIF.
Option 3: 'When RP- items are outperformed by NRP items' — This matches the standard RIF pattern: unpracticed related items (RP-) are recalled worse than items that were never practiced (NRP). It captures the selective forgetting effect on the non-practiced items due to retrieval practice of related items.
Option 4: 'When RP- items are outperformed by RP+ items' — Although this describes a difference between RP- and RP+ performance, it does not specify the relative disadvantage of RP- compared to NRP, which is the hallmark comparison for RIF. It speaks to a general competitive advantage of RP+ over RP-, which is true but does not directly define RIF as the forgetting of RP- relative to NRP.
Putting the pieces together, the clearest signature of RIF occurs when RP- items are remembered worse than NRP items, aligning with option 3.
In summary, the other options fail to capture the essential pattern of RIF: the targeted forgetting effect shows up as poorer recall for unpracticed related items (RP-) compared to items not studied in the retrieval practice (NRP). Hence, option 3 best embodies the RIF phenomenon.

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When is retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) evident?

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