When something is forgotten, it means that it has been lost from memory or is no longer accessible for retrieval. Forgetting can occur due to various reasons, such as the passage of time, interference from other memories, or lack of meaningful encoding.
Related terms
Retrieval Failure: This refers to the inability to access stored information when needed due to ineffective retrieval cues or interference from other memories.
Decay Theory: According to this theory, forgetting occurs over time as memory traces gradually fade and weaken if not reinforced through rehearsal or retrieval.
Interference: Interference happens when new or old memories disrupt the recall of desired information by competing for attention and creating confusion in memory retrieval.