Explanations for forgetting and evaluation (Bklt 4)

Question 1

What are the two explanations for forgetting?

Answer 1

Proactive and retroactive interference

Retrieval failure due to absence of cues

Question 2

Define proactive interference

Answer 2

When previous memories interfere with newer ones (so it’s harder to remember the newer ones)

Question 3

Define retroactive interference

Answer 3

When newer memories interfere with previous ones (so it’s harder to remember the older memories)

Question 4

Outline research into proactive interference (4 marks)

Answer 4

Meta-analysis. Conclusion: when ppts asked to learn list of unrelated words, recall declines with each list learned. If ppt learns ≥10 lists, recall 20% after 24hrs. If learn 1 list, recall= 70%.
Each list makes it harder to learn following lists.

Question 5

Outline research into retroactive interference (4 marks)

Answer 5

Lab exp. 3 conditions. List A of 10 words. Ppts reach 100% accuracy then given List B (different for each group). Group 1: List A+B words had same meanings, recall= 12%. Group 3: List B= numbers, 37%.
Conclusion: R.active int.=strongest when content to be learned= similar

Question 6

Evaluate research into interference (make 3 points)

Answer 6

+ Controlled ex variables in lab exp=> cause+ effect

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