Abstract
Previous work has shown that recalling information from long-term memory can impair the long-term retention of related information - a phenomenon known as retrieval-induced forgetting (M. C. Anderson, R. A. Bjork, & E. L. Bjork, 1994). The purpose of the present article is to review studies on retrieval-induced forgetting, discussing the ordinal experimental paradigm (called retrieval-practice paradigm) and typical results of some experiments. Then, the validity of two hypotheses, blocking and suppression, are considered based on several data that characterize retrieval-induced forgetting. Although it may be more valid to assume suppression as a mental process in explaining retrieval-induced forgetting than blocking, several problems that the current suppression account should overcome are discussed. Finally, as examples of recent spreading directions in research on retrieval-induced forgetting, applications to the contexts of eyewitness testimony and basic studies using explicit/implicit paradigm are discussed.
