The decay theory of forgetting:
A) is more thoroughly supported by research than the other theories of forgetting.
B) is contradicted by the fact that a retrieval cue can trigger the recall of events experienced long ago.
C) has proven useful in explaining how anterograde amnesia occurs.
D) has proven useful in understanding why long-term potentiation occurs.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The decay theory of forgetting suggests that memories fade or decay over time if they are not accessed or retrieved. However, the fact that a retrieval cue can trigger the recall of events experienced long ago contradicts the idea that memories simply disappear due to the passage of time. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Option A is incorrect because no single theory of forgetting can fully explain all cases of forgetting, and the decay theory is no exception. Option C is incorrect because anterograde amnesia is more commonly attributed to damage in the hippocampus or related brain regions rather than the natural decay of memories. Option D is also incorrect because the decay theory does not address the mechanisms of long-term potentiation, which involves strengthening of synaptic connections rather than the fading of memories.

The Decay Theory of Forgetting