According to the new theory of disuse, information that is learned will remain in memory forever. New learning of the material will increase its "storage strength". On the other hand, when information is not used it will become inaccessible over time - it will decrease in "retrieval strength". However, the information is still present - it is easier to relearn that information, it can still be recognized if presented correctly, etc. Dr. Bjork discusses the adaptive nature of this organization of human long-term memory.
