10. Explanations For Forgetting: Interference AO3

Question 1

Name a strength of inference

Answer 1

Many lab studies have been carried out and consistently demonstrate inference in memory

Question 2

What do studies into inference show

Answer 2

Most studies show that both types of interference are very likely causes of forgetting from LTM

Question 3

Name a strength of the use of lab studies

Answer 3

They control the effects of extraneous variables - five confidence that inference is a valid explanation

Question 4

Name two limitations of inference research

Answer 4

• use of artificial materials

- small amount of time allowed before learning

Question 5

Explain how using artificial materials is a limitation

Answer 5

Stimulus material is often word lists - quite different from things we remember in everyday life - e.g. People’s faces - makes inference much more likely in a lab - may not be a cause of everyday forgetting

Question 6

Explain how the time allowed is a limitation

Answer 6

Time periods between learning lists of words and recalling them are short in lab studies - e.g. Learning 2 lists in 20 mins - research reduced process of learning into a short time - doesn’t reflect real life memory of information

Question 7

How does the limited time allocated to learning in studies affect our conclusions

Answer 7

Conclusions generated from research into forgetting in LTM may not generalise outside the lab - role of inference may be exaggerated