Is the context shift effect a case of retrieval failure? The effects of retrieval enhancing treatments on forgetting under altered stimulus conditions in rats.
This series of experiments sought to clarify the role of retrieval failure in forgetting that results from a change in context between training and testing (the context shift effect [CSE]). Because spontaneous forgetting (SF) is generally considered to reflect a retrieval failure, the effects of three manipulations known to alleviate SF were examined on forgetting due to an explicit shift in context at a short delay (24 hr). Pretest exposure to a reminder treatment involving the reinforcer from training (Experiment 1), pretest amphetamine administration (Experiment 2), and overtraining (Experiment 3) alleviated both SF and the CSE, supporting the view that the CSE reflects a retrieval deficit. Implications for the context change account of SF are discussed.
Millin
Paula M
PM
Department of Psychology, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH 43022, USA. millinp@kenyon.edu.
Riccio
David C
DC
D000818:Animals; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D051381:Rats; D012055:Reinforcement Schedule; D015203:Reproducibility of Results