NEUROIMAGING OF RETRIEVAL INDUCED FORGETTING - CONTEXT DEPENDENT OR INHIBITION

Abstract

Memory retrieval can cause forgetting of related items, known as retrieval induced forgetting (RIF). One possible mechanism for RIF is reinstatement of the practice context when recalling related non-practiced items, known as context dependence theory (Jonker et al., 2013). According to the theory, the final recall of the retrieval practiced targets (RP+) reinstates the context of the practice trials, which facilitates recall compared to non-related target items that were not practiced (NRP), and hinders recall of related target items that were not practiced (RP-). In support of context dependence theory, manipulating the contexts during final recall can eliminate RIF. In a series of experiments, we replicated and modified the design of Jonker et al (2013) to make it suitable for use with fMRI. Although we found reinstatement patterns consistent with the context dependence theory but it is unclear if RIF is a cause of context dependence or a result of efficient recall strategies and inhibition.