9 - explanations of forgetting (interference) Flashcards
define interference
when two pieces of information conflict with each other resulting in forgetting one or both or distortion of memory
what is proactive interference
when an older memory interferes with a newer one
what is retroactive interference
when a newer memory interferes with an older one
who studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials
mcgeoch and mcdonald
what was the task in mcgeoch and mcdonalds study
participants had to learn a list of ten words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy. they then learnt a new list
how many groups of participants were there in mcgeoch and mcdonalds study who had to learn different types of lists
6
what were the 6 new lists participants had to learn in mcgeoch and mcdonalds study
synonyms, antonyms, unrelated words, nonsense syllables, 3 digit numbers, no new list (same words)
what list in mcgeoch and mcdonald’s study produced the worst recall
most similar material (synonyms)
what does mcgeoch and mcdonald’s study show about interference?
interference is strongest when the memories are similar
who did a study on forgetting adverts?
burke and skrull
what was burke and skrull’s task
presented a series of magazine adverts to their participants, who had to recall the details of what they had seen
how was retroactive and proactive interference seen in burke and skrull’s results?
some participants had more difficulty in recalling earlier adverts, some had problems remembering the later ones
when was interference greater in burke and skrull’s study and what is this known as
when the adverts were similar, known as competitive interference
