Retrieval-induced forgetting in episodic future thinking

Abstract

Retrieval of a memory can induce the forgetting of other related memories, which is known as retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) (Anderson, Bjork, Bjork; 1994). In this study, we examined whether retrieval episodic future thinking (EFT) causes forgetting of related EFT. As a result, it was shown that the related EFT was forgotten by retrieval EFT. In other words, it was shown that RIF also occurs in EFT. This result is consistent with current studies showing that RIF occurs in autobiographical memory (AM) (eg., Barnier, Hung, & Conway, 2004; Harris, Sharman, Barnier, & Molds, 2010; Ditta & Storm, 2016). Therefore, we supported the Constructive episodic simulation hypothesis, the hypothesis that the EFT and AM retrieval processes are the same.