Clear and defined strengths and weaknesses of the four theories of forgetting?

[ketts726]

An extended response on our last SAC asked us to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the theories of retrieval (retrieval failure, interference theory, motivated forgetting, decay theory) and there is basically nothing in the textbook on it so i was wondering if anyone had any dot points for each strength and weakness for these four theories? THANK YOU 

[iNerd]

You're meant to have understood the theory and be able to derive your own + or -'s.

I'll start you off with the retrieval failure theory.

+ ---> TOT
- ---> How do you scientifically test it?

[ketts726]

Wouldn't most of the negatives be that you can't scientifically test it? Although isn't that a bit general of a response if your giving it for each.

For interference theory is TOT a negative? Not sure of a positive - except perhaps exaplins our eveyrday experiences of muddling things up.

Motivated forgetting, a negative being the ethical implications of doing scientific studies becasue of the sensitive nature, not sure of a positive.

Decay theory was fine, + = appeals to common sense that if we don't use/activate the memory we lose it, but - in that it doesn't explain why some older memories (especially in those who have Alzheimer's) are not lost and can still be remembered when it newer memories seem to decay more easily/quicker. 

[papertissue]

Another negative for motivated forgetting is that we can also forget due to consolidation being interrupted, not due to a conscious/unconscious desire to forget.