Electrophysiological correlates of generation induced forgetting: Manipulating retrieval success

Abstract: Although memory serves numerous functions, it is often not reflected upon until it fails us. Previous research has shown that both retrieval and generation of information may lead to forgetting of related items sharing the same cues and is referred to as retrieval induced forgetting (Anderson, Bjork & Bjork 1994; Bäuml 2002). The aim of this study was to investigate the electrophysiological correlates of semantic generation that has been shown to lead to similar detrimental effects assumingly attributed to inhibition. 18 participants were included in this study using electroencephalogram and a computerized memory experiment. The results showed that semantic generation leads to forgetting, when generation is possible but not when impossible. Analysis revealed significant interactions between task and scalp location, but no significant interaction between task and whether participants showed high or low generation induced forgetting why conclusions are hard to draw. The findings suggest that inhibition, although probably highly related to generation induced forgetting, may not be the only mechanism responsible for generation induced forgetting.