Explanations for forgetting - Interference

Question 1

When does interference occur?

Answer 1

When the recall. of 1 memory blocks the recall of another, causing forgetting or distorted perceptions of the memories. It can be retroactive or proactive

Question 2

What does retroactive mean?

Answer 2

When new memories block the recollection of old memories

Question 3

What does proactive mean?

Answer 3

Old memories block the recollection of new memories

Question 4

Who demonstrated retroactive interference?

Answer 4

McGeoch and mcDonald (1931)

Question 5

What did McGeoch and McDonald do?

Answer 5

Divided participants into 6 groups to recall different lists of words (synonyms, antonyms, unrelated words to the original list, 3 - digit numbers and consonant syllables and a control group)

Question 6

What did McGeoch and McDonald find?

Answer 6

Those who learnt the synonym list experienced an average 3.1 fewer correct items compared to the control group. This supports the idea that the extent of forgetting is larger when the 2 memories or materials are similar (positive correlation. between forgetting and similarity)

Question 7

Give a - (AS)

Answer 7

Used artificial stimuli, learning lists of random words with no personal meaning means that the findings of inference are likely to have low mundane realism. In real. life we’re likely to learn lists of meaningful. information which we draw upon and have meaning. to us. These factors influence the extent of forgetting rather than influence

Question 8

Give a + (LS)

Answer 8

Interference has been demonstrated in lab studies increasing the validity due to the highly controlled conditions, standardised instructions alongside the removal of the biasing effects of. the extraneous and confounding variables

Question 9

Give a + (B&H)

Answer 9

Baddley and Hitch found a group of rugby players who recalled their last game and the number of games they’d played, the number of games was more important than the total time they played for. This can be explained in terms of interference where more games each player played. the more likely the memories of these newer games would interfere or block the recall of older games eg - retroactive interference

Question 10

Give a - (LMRR)

Answer 10

Lack of mundane realism and reliability and they’re often conducted in short spaces of time, with particpants recalling their words 1 or 2 hours after. This doesn’t reflect the normal passage of everyday life, where we often find that several days pass until we need to recall such information. Suggesting interference is unlikely to be a valid explanation for forgetting from the LTM