Skip to main content
Article
Silence Is Not Golden: A Case for Socially-Shared Retrieval-Induced Forgetting.
Psychological Science
  • Alex Cuc, Nova Southeastern University
  • Wiliam Hirst, New School for Social Research
  • J. Koppel
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2007
Disciplines
Abstract/Excerpt

The present research explored the effect of selective remembering and the resulting "silences" on memory. In particular, we examined whether unmentioned information is more likely to be forgotten by a listener if related information is recollected by the speaker than if related information is not recollected by the speaker. In a modification of the retrieval-induced forgetting paradigm, pairs of individuals studied material, but in the practice phase, only one member of each pair selectively recalled it, while the other listened. Experiment 1 employed paired associates, and Experiment 2 used stories. Experiment 3 involved not controlled practice, but free-flowing conversation. In each case, results from a final memory test established not only within-individual retrieval-induced forgetting, but also socially shared retrieval-induced forgetting. The results demonstrate that listening to a speaker remember selectively can induce forgetting of related information in the listener.

DOI
10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01967.x
Citation Information
Alex Cuc, Wiliam Hirst and J. Koppel. "Silence Is Not Golden: A Case for Socially-Shared Retrieval-Induced Forgetting." Psychological Science Vol. 18 Iss. 8 (2007) p. 727 - 733 ISSN: 0956-7976
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/alexandru-cuc/6/