4.1.2 INTERFERENCE Flashcards
1
Q
what is forgetting?
A
- the failure to retrieve memories
2
Q
what is interference?
A
- an explanation for forgetting from LTM
- two sets of similar information in the LTM become confused with or disrupted by other information during encoding
- this leads to inaccurate recall
3
Q
what is retroactive interference?
A
- retro = backward
- where new learning prevents recall of previously learned information
- later learning interferes with earlier learning
- new memories disrupt old memories
4
Q
what is proactive interference?
A
- pro = forward
- where old learning prevents recall f more recent information
- when what we already know interferes with what we’re currently learning
- where old memories disrupt new memories
5
Q
when are proactive and retroactive interference thought to be more likely to occur?
A
- more likely to occur when the memories are similar
- eg) confusing old and new telephone numbers
6
Q
what was the aim of Schmidt et al’s study in 2000?
A
- to access influence of retroactive interference upon memory of street names learning during childhood
7
Q
what was the procedure Schmidt et al used?
A
- 700 ppts were randomly selected from a database of 1700 students at a Dutch school
- they were all sent a questionnaire
- 211 responded (age 11-79)
- they were given a map of the area
- the 48 street names replaced with numbers
- asked to remember as many as possible
- relevant details were collected
- including: how many times the ppt had moved house, where they
lived etc
8
Q
how was retroactive interference accessed?
A
- by the number of times indicates had moved to other neighbours or cities
- thus learning new street names
9
Q
what were the findings of this study?
A
- positive association between number of times ppts had moved house and the number of street names forgotten
- retroactive interference is potentially causing forgetting
- supports interference theory
10
Q
evaluate a strength of this study?
A
- ecological validity is quite high as it has real life applications
11
Q
evaluate weaknesses of this study
A
- extraneous variables are present
eg) - IQ
- age
- how long they attended the school
- questionnaire completed at home, they could’ve cheated
- form of travel to the school
12
Q
what was the procedure of Baddeley and Hitch study in 1977?
A
- asked rugby players to remember as many teams as possible they’d played
13
Q
how was interference tested?
A
- by accessing how recall was affected by number of games played
14
Q
what was the conclusion of forgetting and interference?
A
- forgetting was due to the number of games played rather than the amount of time passed
- supports interference as the more games that were played, the more interference was experienced
15
Q
what was the procedure of the McGeoch and Mcdonald study in 1931?
A
- studied retroactive interference
- changed the amount of similarity between two sets of materials
- ppts learnt a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy
- learnt a new list
