Retrieval-induced versus context-induced forgetting: Can restudy preceded by context change simulate retrieval-induced forgetting?

- Retrieval of some studied items can impair memory for other items.
- Such retrieval-induced forgetting [RIF] arises in recall and item recognition.
- Restudy preceded by context change simulates RIF in recall.
- Such restudy, however, does not simulate RIF in item recognition.
- Results challenge the view that RIF reects context-induced forgetting.

Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) refers to the finding that retrieval practice on a subset of studied items can induce later forgetting of related unpracticed items. The context account of RIF, which attributes RIF to a mismatch of study context and reinstated context at test for the unpracticed items, claims that RIF effects can be simulated by restudy trials when these trials are preceded by context change. To test this proposal, we compared across three experiments effects of retrieval practice and of restudy trials preceded by context change, employing both recall and item recognition testing. We found retrieval practice to impair both recall and recognition of unpracticed items, which is consistent with prior work. In contrast, restudy preceded by context change impaired recall but not recognition of the items. These findings suggest that restudy preceded by context change cannot simulate RIF, which challenges the context account of RIF. The results are consistent with the view of a critical role of retrieval and inhibition in RIF.