2.4: Interference theory (IT) Flashcards
Forgetting
Forgetting is the failure to retrieve memories
Retrieval failure
Retrieval failure is an explanation for forgetting when material is stored in the LTM, but cannot be consciously recalled as a result of a lack of retrieval cues to ‘jog the memory’
Interference or interference theory (IT)
- Interference
Or, - Interference theory (IT)
is an explanation for forgetting when one memory disturbs the ability to recall another
Interference or interference theory (IT) is an explanation for forgetting when one memory disturbs the ability to recall another.
This might result in what?
This might result in: 1. Forgetting Or, 2. Distorting one or the other or both of the memories
Interference or interference theory (IT) is an explanation for forgetting when one memory disturbs the ability to recall another.
This might result in forgetting or distorting one or the other or both of the memories.
This is more likely to happen if the memories are what?
This is more likely to happen if the memories are similar
Interference or interference theory (IT) is an explanation for forgetting when one memory disturbs the ability to recall another.
This might result in forgetting or distorting one or the other or both of the memories.
This is more likely to happen if the memories are similar.
Interference theory sees forgetting as due to information in LTM doing what?
Interference theory sees forgetting as due to information in LTM becoming: 1. Confused with Or, 2. Disrupted by other information during coding
Interference or interference theory (IT) is an explanation for forgetting when one memory disturbs the ability to recall another.
This might result in forgetting or distorting one or the other or both of the memories.
This is more likely to happen if the memories are similar.
Interference theory sees forgetting as due to information in LTM becoming confused with or disrupted by other information during coding, leading to what?
Interference theory sees forgetting as due to information in LTM becoming:
1. Confused with
Or,
2. Disrupted by
other information during coding, leading to inaccurate recall
How many forms of interference are there?
There are 2 forms of interference:
- Proactive interference
- Retroactive interference
Proactive interference
Proactive interference is a form of interference that occurs when past memories inhibit an individual’s full potential to retain new memories
Retroactive interference
Retroactive interference is a form of interference that occurs when newly learned information interferes with the recall of previously learned information
There are 2 forms of interference - Proactive interference and retroactive interference.
Proactive interference works how?
Proactive interference works forwards in time
There are 2 forms of interference - Proactive interference and retroactive interference.
Proactive interference works forwards in time, occurring when information stored previously interferes with an attempt to do what?
Proactive interference works forwards in time, occurring when information stored previously interferes with an attempt to recall something new
An example of proactive interference
An example of proactive interference is the memory of an old phone number disrupting attempts to recall a new phone number
There are 2 forms of interference - Proactive interference and retroactive interference.
Retroactive interference works how?
Retroactive interference works backwards in time
There are 2 forms of interference - Proactive interference and retroactive interference.
Retroactive interference works backwards in time, occurring when what disrupts information stored previously?
Retroactive interference works backwards in time, occurring when coding new information disrupts information stored previously
An example of retroactive interference
An example of retroactive interference is the memory of a new car registration number preventing recall of a previous one
Forgetting doesn’t mean the memory does what?
Forgetting doesn’t mean the memory disappears
Forgetting doesn’t mean the memory disappears.
The memory is still what?
The memory is still available
Forgetting doesn’t mean the memory disappears.
The memory is still available, it is just not what?
The memory is still available, it is just not accessible
Forgetting doesn’t mean the memory disappears.
The memory is still available, it is just not accessible, since our LTMs have what?
The memory is still available, it is just not accessible, since our LTMs have an unlimited capacity
The MSM states that LTM has an unlimited capacity and that memories have a duration of what?
The MSM states that:
- LTM has an unlimited capacity
- Memories have a duration of potentially a lifetime
The MSM states that LTM has an unlimited capacity and that memories have a duration of potentially a lifetime.
However, we know from what that we do forget some what?
We know from experience that we do forget some information stored in the LTM
Who (what year) studied retroactive interference?
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by doing what?
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.
The participants learnt what?
The participants learnt a list of words to the point of 100% recall
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.
The participants learnt a list of words to the point of 100% recall.
They then did what?
They then learned a new list
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.
The participants learnt a list of words to the point of 100% recall.
They then learned a new list.
McGeoch and McDonald gave what?
McGeoch and McDonald gave 6 conditions:
- Synonyms
- Anonyms
- Words unrelated to the originals
- Nonsense syllables
- 3 digit numbers
- No new list (these participants just retested)
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.
The participants learnt a list of words to the point of 100% recall.
They then learned a new list.
McGeoch and McDonald gave 6 conditions -synonyms, antonymts, words unrelated to the originals, nonsense syllables, 3 digit numbers and no new list (these participants just retested), and so 6 groups who had to do what?
McGeoch and McDonald gave 6 conditions: 1. Synonyms 2. Anonyms 3. Words unrelated to the originals 4. Nonsense syllables 5. 3 digit numbers 6. No new list (these participants just retested) and so 6 groups who had to learn a different list
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.
The participants learnt a list of words to the point of 100% recall.
They then learned a new list.
McGeoch and McDonald gave 6 conditions -synonyms, antonymts, words unrelated to the originals, nonsense syllables, 3 digit numbers and no new list (these participants just retested), and so 6 groups who had to learn a different list.
What did McGeoch and McDonald find?
McGeoch and McDonald found that when the participants recalled the original list of words, their performance depended on the nature of the 2nd test
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.
The participants learnt a list of words to the point of 100% recall.
They then learned a new list.
McGeoch and McDonald gave 6 conditions -synonyms, antonymts, words unrelated to the originals, nonsense syllables, 3 digit numbers and no new list (these participants just retested), and so 6 groups who had to learn a different list.
McGeoch and McDonald found that when the participants recalled the original list of words, their performance depended on the nature of the 2nd test.
What list was the poorest and produced the worst recall?
The synonyms list:
- Was the poorest
- Produced the worst recall
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
The main criticism of interference is that it only really explains forgetting when?
The main criticism of interference is that it only really explains forgetting when 2 sets of information are similar
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
The main criticism of interference is that it only really explains forgetting when 2 sets of information are similar, for example when doing what at school?
The main criticism of interference is that it only really explains forgetting when 2 sets of information are similar, for example when simultaneously learning:
1. French
2. Welsh
at school
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
The main criticism of interference is that it only really explains forgetting when 2 sets of information are similar, for example when simultaneously learning French and Welsh at school.
This does not happen when?
This does not happen very often
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
The main criticism of interference is that it only really explains forgetting when 2 sets of information are similar, for example when simultaneously learning French and Welsh at school.
This does not happen very often and so interference cannot explain what?
This does not happen very often and so interference cannot explain forgetting in the majority of real-life settings
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
Research into interference tends to use what experiments based around what?
Research into interference tends to use laboratory experiments based around artificial tasks
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
Research into interference tends to use laboratory experiments based around artificial tasks, such as what?
Research into interference tends to use laboratory experiments based around artificial tasks, such as learning lists of word pairs
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
Research into interference tends to use laboratory experiments based around artificial tasks, such as learning lists of word pairs, and as such can be accused of lacking what?
Research into interference tends to use laboratory experiments based around artificial tasks, such as learning lists of word pairs, and as such can be accused of lacking mundane realism
Evaluation of the interference theory:
Against:
Research into interference tends to use laboratory experiments based around artificial tasks, such as learning lists of word pairs, and as such can be accused of lacking mundane realism.
For:
However, this is also a strength, because it is carried out in a what environment?
This is also a strength, because it is carried out in a controlled environment