explanation for forgetting: interference theory Flashcards
what is the interference theory
the interference theory has been proposed as an explanation for forgetting long - term memory (LTM)
Once info reached LTM it is more - or- less permanent
Therefore, any forgetting of LTM is most likely because we can’t get access to them even though they are available -interference between memories makes it harder for us to locate them, and this is experienced as “forgetting”
INTERFERENCE - forgetting because one memory blocs another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten
what are the two types of interference
memories that are interfering with each other is very likely to have been stored at different times
there are two types of interference:
PROACTIVE INTERFERENCE: occurs when an older memory blocks a newer one
e.g. when your teacher has learned so many names they may forget/ how difficulty remembering the names of current class
RETROACTIVE INTERFERENCE: happen when a newer memory interferes/blocks with an older one
e.g. when your teacher has learned as many new names this year she has difficulty remembering the names of the students last year
what is the effects of similarity in interference
both forms of interference ( PI and RI) is worse when the memories ( or learning) are similar
what was John McGeoch and William McDonald’s study into the effects of similarity on interference
McGeoch and McDonald studies retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials
Participants had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy
They then learned a new list
There were six groups of participants who had learned different types of lists
GROUP 1: synoyms - words with the same meanings as the original
GROUP 2: antonyms -words with opposite meanings to the original
GROUPS 3: words unrelated to the original
GROUP 4: consonant syllables
GROUP 5: three– digit numbers
GROUP 6: no new list - these participants rested
what was the findings of McGeoch and McDonald’s research into the effect of similarity on interference
FINDINGS: when the participants then recalled the original list of words, their performance depended on the nature of the 2nd list
The most similar (synonyms) produced the worst recall. This shows that interference is strongest when the memories are similar
