Noncompetitive retrieval practice causes retrieval-induced forgetting in cued recall but not in recognition

Retrieving a subset of learned items can lead to the forgetting of related items. Such retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) can be explained by the inhibition of irrelevant items in order to overcome retrieval competition when the target item is retrieved. According to the retrieval inhibition account, such retrieval competition is a necessary condition for RIF. However, research has indicated that noncompetitive retrieval practice can also cause RIF by strengthening cue–item associations. According to the strength-dependent competition account, the strengthened items interfere with the retrieval of weaker items, resulting in impaired recall of weaker items in the final memory test. The aim of this study was to replicate RIF caused by noncompetitive retrieval practice and to determine whether this forgetting is also observed in recognition tests. In the context of RIF, it has been assumed that recognition tests circumvent interference and, therefore, should not be sensitive to forgetting due to strength-dependent competition. However, this has not been empirically tested, and it has been suggested that participants may reinstate learned cues as retrieval aids during the final test. In the present experiments, competitive practice or noncompetitive practice was followed by either final cued-recall tests or recognition tests. In cued-recall tests, RIF was observed in both competitive and noncompetitive conditions. However, in recognition tests, RIF was observed only in the competitive condition and was absent in the noncompetitive condition. The result underscores the contribution of strength-dependent competition to RIF. However, recognition tests seem to be a reliable way of distinguishing between RIF due to retrieval inhibition or strength-dependent competition.     

Bindungsrepräsentation bei stationär behandelten chronisch-depressiven Patientinnen

Background

Studies on the association between attachment and chronic depression are scarce.

Aim

This study was carried out to investigate attachment representations in chronically depressed female inpatients.

Material and methods

A total of 20 female inpatients with major depression were assessed with the adult attachment interview. Attachment representations were assessed following the method of Main et al. Furthermore, a dimensional evaluation of attachment representations according to Waters was compiled and related to symptom severity.

Results

The analysis of attachment resulted in a distribution of 5?% securely attached patients, 30?% with insecure-avoidant attachment, 15?% insecure-preoccupied attachment and 50?% disorganised attachment representation. For the dimensional approach along the secure-insecure dimension, attachment security was correlated with global assessment of functioning (GAF) and reflective functioning and insecurity was correlated with unresolved loss. For the dimension avoidance-preoccupation a relationship was found between avoidance and GAF.

Conclusion

In comparison to non-clinical samples the results demonstrate a high proportion of insecure and disorganised attachment in this sample of severely depressed female inpatients with high chronicity (mean course of illness 11.7?±?7.6 years) and high symptom load (Beck depression inventory BDI =?36.6?±?8.7 points). This result underlines the importance of psychotherapeutic interventions for depressed patients with unresolved loss experiences.     

The congruency sequence effect emerges when the distracter precedes the target

The congruency effect in distracter interference tasks is typically smaller when the previous trial was incongruent as compared to congruent, suggesting the operation of a control process that minimizes the influence of irrelevant stimuli on behavior. However, both the conditions under which this congruency sequence effect (CSE) can be most easily observed without the typical learning and memory confounds, and the control process underlying it, remain controversial. We therefore tested a recent hypothesis that the CSE is most easily observed without the typical confounds when the distracter is processed before the target. In line with this “distracter head start” hypothesis, in Experiments 1 and 2 the CSE was larger when the distracter appeared before, relative to with, the target. Further, in Experiment 3, we observed a negative congruency effect after incongruent trials when a long interval separated the distracter from the target, consistent with a modulation of the response engendered by the distracter but not with a shift of attention toward the target. These findings reveal an important determinant of CSE magnitude when the typical learning and memory confounds are absent and new insights into the nature of control processes that contribute to this phenomenon.     

Sparse Causation and Mere Abundant Causation

Philosophical Studies - Setting off from a familiar distinction in the philosophy of properties, this paper introduces a tripartite distinction between sparse causation, abundant causation and mere...