There are several theories that attempt to explain the causes of forgetting. Here are some of the main theoretical causes:

• Trace Decay Theory:

  This theory suggests that memories fade over time if they are not accessed and used. The memory trace, a physical representation of a memory in the brain, weakens and eventually disappears. This is most applicable to short-term memory and sensory memory.

  • Supporting Idea: Time-based forgetting.
  • Source: Simply Psychology - Forgetting
• Interference Theory:

  Interference theory proposes that forgetting occurs because other memories interfere with the retrieval of the target memory. There are two types of interference:

  • Proactive Interference:

    Old memories interfere with the ability to learn and remember new information.

  • Retroactive Interference:

    New memories interfere with the ability to recall older information.

  • Supporting Idea: Memory competition.
  • Source: Noba Project - Memory: Encoding, Storage, and Retrieval
• Retrieval Failure Theory:

  This theory suggests that forgetting is not due to the loss of the memory itself, but rather the inability to access it. The memory is stored but cannot be retrieved because the retrieval cues are not sufficient to activate the memory.

  • Supporting Idea: Cue-dependent forgetting.
  • Source: Verywell Mind - What Is Retrieval Failure?
• Motivated Forgetting:

  This theory suggests that people may forget unwanted memories, either consciously or unconsciously. This can be divided into:

  • Suppression:

    Conscious effort to forget.

  • Repression:

    Unconscious forgetting of traumatic memories.

  • Supporting Idea: Psychological defense mechanisms.
  • Source: National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) - Memory suppression
• Encoding Failure:

  Sometimes, information never makes it into long-term memory in the first place because it was not properly encoded. This can be due to a lack of attention or shallow processing of the information.

  • Supporting Idea: Absence of proper memory formation.
  • Source: Lumen Learning - Encoding