Chapter 6, Problem 10TY

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

Encoding specificity is a rule that expresses that human memory recollections are more effectively recovered if outer conditions (emotional clues or retrieving clues) at the time of recovery are similar to those in presence, at the time the memory was created.

Answer to Problem 10TY

Correct answer:

Some forgotten memories can be recalled at the place where the memories were created. So, according to the given scenario, Phineas should go back to his chamber to retrieve his lost memory. This information is reflected in the option “a”. Therefore, option a. is correct.

Option a. is given as “Phineas should return to his office to help him remember what he had forgotten”.

Explanation of Solution

Reasons for the correct statement:

Encoding specificity rule suggests that a lost memory is easily and effectively retrieved if the conditions of recovery match with the conditions when memory was created in the brain.

Hence, option a. is correct.

Reasons for the incorrect statements:

Option b. is given as “Phineas should ask someone else, “What did I come in here for?”

Asking someone does not help the person to recall the memory because the conditions do not match with the conditions when memory was created.

Option c. is given as “Phineas should remain in the conference room and simply relax so that his memory should return”.

According to encoding specificity, the lost memory can be recalled at the place where the memory was created. The individual has lost memory out of the conference room. Sitting back in the conference room would not help him to recover the memory, because the retrieving conditions would not match with the conditions of the time when memory was created. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Option d. is given as “Phineas should consider seeing a doctor, since such memory loss can be a sign of mental illness”.

Failure to recall some inattentive events or situation is not a big reason to visit a doctor. Small incidents of recall failure do not lead to mental illness. Hence, it is a wrong answer.

Hence, options b., c., and d. are incorrect.

Conclusion

Encoding specificity suggests that retrieving a memory occurs fast if the retrieving situation matches with the encoding situation. Encoding situation refers to the time when a particular memory is created. So, the individual should go back to the place or situation where he has forgotten the associated memory.