Retrieval Induced Forgetting - Complete

Technical Manual

Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond

Created: April 28, 2026

Last Modified: April 30, 2026 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond

Background

Retrieval Induced Forgetting is a memory phenomenon where actively recalling specific information causes the forgetting of related, non-retrieved information. Anderson et al (1994) suggest that that recalling items (e.g. fruit-orange) competes with recalling other related items (e.g. fruit-banana) which are then actively suppressed by the brain to reduce interference.

The implemented procedure is based on the published studies of Anderson et al (1994). The default implementation is based on Experiment 3.

Subtest Manuals

Retrieval Induced Forgetting - Rif

References

Anderson, M. C., Bjork, R. A., & Bjork, E. L. (1994). Remembering Can Cause Forgetting: Retrieval Dynamics in Long-Term Memory. Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 20(5), 1063–1087. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-7393.20.5.1063

Duration

25 minutes

Description

Participants learn category-exemplar pairs such as 'furniture - table', with some exemplars being more strongly associated with the categories than others (e.g. table vs. settee) for a later delayed free recall test. Each category-exemplar pair is presented for 5s. Filler items are presented at the start and the end of the learning sequence.

After the learning phase (and before the test), half the presented categories are chosen for a cued-retrieval practice procedure (RP). The other categories are designated control categories (NPR). Of the RP categories only half of the items are actually used during practice (RP+). The other half are designated comparison items (RP-). Each practice trial presents a category label and the first character of one of its RP+ exemplars. Participants have 10 seconds each to complete the exemplar. By default, each RP+ exemplar is presented 3 times. Filler items are presented at the start and the end of the practice sequence.

RP+: exemplars used during practice RP-: exemplars from categories used during practice but the items themselves are not NPR+: exemplars from categories not used during practice that are designated control items for RP+ exemplars NPR-: exemplars from categories not used during practice that are designated control items for RP- exemplars

An unrelated filler task usually precedes the test phase.

For the test, participants are running through a similar setup as used during the practice with the following differences: - categories are tested in a blocked format - all learning items are presented (except for the 2nd filler category) - RP+/RP- items are systematically varied in presentation order The first category label is that of one of the filler categories.

Procedure

This batch script automatically calls the learning/practice phase and test phase of the RIF procedure.
A filler task can be added in between the phases.
If the learning/practice script ('phase1') and the test script ('phase2') are run within the same session,
the batch script can send relevant practice information from one script to the other.

This script counterbalances eight versions of the task by groupnumber:
4 between experimental groups x 2 versions each:

Experimental Groups:
SS: uses only strong exemplars (groupnumber 1 and 5)
WW: uses only weak exemplars (groupnumber 2 and 6)
SW: uses a mix, but uses only the strong exemplars for practice (groupnumber 3 and 7)
WS: uses a mix, but uses only the weak exemplars for practice (groupnumber 4 and 8)

Versions:
SS1 (1) vs. SS2 (5): counterbalance the categories used for practice
WW1 (2) vs. WW2 (6): counterbalance the categories used for practice
SW1 (3) vs. SW2 (7): counterbalance the categories used for practice
WS1 (4) vs. WS2 (8): counterbalance the categories used for practice

Stimuli

check individual scripts for more information.

Instructions

check individual scripts for more information and to edit instructions.