Deutsch: Zerfallstheorie / Español: Teoría de la decadencia / Português: Teoria da decadência / Français: Théorie de la décomposition / Italiano: Teoria del decadimento /
Decay theory refers to a theory that asserts that information is forgotten because of the gradual disappearance, rather than displacement, of the memory trace. Decay theory is an explanation for loss of information in short-term memory based on the notion that the physiological effects of stimulation fade. Decay theory is similar to Fading in connection with forgetting in long-term memory. (see Fading.)