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. 2025 Jun;14(3):385-394.
doi: 10.1002/pchj.70007. Epub 2025 Mar 10.

Interactive Influence of Item Competitive Strength and Inhibition Ability on Retrieval-Induced Forgetting

Yue Chu  1 , Hui Xu  1 , Weihai Tang  2 , Xiping Liu  1   2
Affiliations

Interactive Influence of Item Competitive Strength and Inhibition Ability on Retrieval-Induced Forgetting

Yue Chu et al. Psych J. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Retrieval-induced forgetting (RIF) occurs when selective retrieval of certain information leads to the forgetting of other related information. Previous studies have shown that individuals with varying inhibition abilities can exhibit similar RIF magnitudes, a finding not entirely consistent with existing theories. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between item competitive strength and inhibition ability in modulating RIF. Items were categorized into high-, medium-, and low-competitive strength groups based on taxonomic frequency ratings. Participants' inhibition abilities were assessed using the Stroop task, and RIF was examined across these groups. The results revealed that at high-item competitive strength, only high-inhibition participants showed RIF. At medium item competitive strength, both groups demonstrated RIF, with no difference in magnitude. At low-item competitive strength, neither group exhibited RIF. These findings suggest that both item competitive strength and inhibition ability modulate RIF, supporting the inhibition theory of RIF.

Keywords: inhibition ability; item competitive strength; retrieval‐induced forgetting.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Illustration of the inhibition and blocking mechanisms.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Procedures for RIF paradigm.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 3
Recognition performance of Rp− and Nrp− items by item competitive strength and inhibition ability. *p < 0.05; error bars represent SE.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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