Durability of retrieval-induced forgetting

Abstract

Previous research has shown that the act of remembering can cause forgetting of related information which is known as retrieval-induced forgetting. This study investigates the durability of this inhibitory effect over time. The participants were 92 university students. Using a standard retrieval-practice paradigm, we manipulated the delay between retrieval-practice and a final category-cued recall test (i.e., no delay, ten minutes, one hour, and one week). The results showed that retrieval-induced forgetting occurred at all retention intervals, even after one week. The magnitude of impairment did not change across the retention intervals. The mechanism that enables the durability of retrieval-induced forgetting, even over long periods of time, is discussed.