Comparing Methods to Study Intentional Forgetting in the Lab and in the Field: Insights and Recommendations

Research on intentional forgetting is relevant for a wide range of applied contexts such as clinical psychology, work and organizational psychology and in everyday live as well. In view of the increasing amount of digital data and information overload, staying focused and working effectively are growing problems in the world of work. These issues are assumed to be mitigated by mechanisms of intentional forgetting. The present paper presents a collection and overview of methods used and results achieved in the priority programme Intentional Forgetting in Organizations funded by the DFG (SPP1921) and its subprojects. We start with addressing the research questions of the individual tandems involved, clustering and sketching their various methods for capturing intentional forgetting. In the next step, the different methodological approaches are differentiated from each other, and specific, context-related advantages and disadvantages are elaborated (method differentiation). Based on this, recommendations for action are developed to facilitate the choice of the appropriate method for future, thematically similar research projects (method recommendation). The paper also intends to provide a collection of materials, such as newly developed experiments, questionnaires, and stimulus materials.