| Theory | Explanation of Forgetting |
|---|
| Encoding failure theory | Forgetting is due to the failure to encode the information into long-term memory |
| Storage decay theory | Forgetting is due to the decay of the biological representation of the information in long-term memory |
| Interference theory | Forgetting is due to the interference of other information in long-term memory, making the forgotten information inaccessible |
| Cue-dependent theory | Forgetting is due to the unavailability of the retrieval cues necessary to locate the information in long-term memory |