explanations for forgetting - Interference

Question 1

when does interference occur

Answer 1

interference occurs when 2 pieces of information conflict, resulting in forgetting

Question 2

how many types of interference are there?

Answer 2

2

Question 3

what are the 2 types of interference

Answer 3

proactive interference
retroactive interference

Question 4

what is proactive interference?

Answer 4

when older memory interferes with a newer memory

Question 5

what is retroactive interference

Answer 5

when a newer memory interferes with an older memory

Question 6

what did McGeoch and McDonald (1931) discover?

Answer 6

they discovered that inference id worse when memories are similar

Question 7

what was the procedure to McGeoch and McDonald’s study?

Answer 7

procedure - made participants learn a set of words until they remembered them with 100% accuracy. then they had to learn another set
group 1 -synonyms (same meaning as originals)
group 2 - antonyms (opposite to meanings)
group 3 - unrelated to originals
group 4 - consonant syllables
group 5 - 3 digit numbers
group 6 - no new list

Question 8

what was GROUP 1 in McGeoch and McDonald’s study?

Answer 8

group 1 -synonyms (same meaning as originals)

Question 9

what was GROUP 2 in McGeoch and McDonald’s study?

Answer 9

group 2 - antonyms (opposite to meanings of the originals)

Question 10

what was GROUP 3 in McGeoch and McDonalds study?

Answer 10

group 3 - unrelated to originals

Question 11

what was GROUP 4 in McGeoch and McDonalds study?

Answer 11

group 4 - consonant syllables

Question 12

what was GROUP 5 in McGeoch and McDonalds study?

Answer 12

group 5 - 3 digit numbers

Question 13

what was GROUP 6 in McGeoch and McDonalds study?

Answer 13

group 6 - no new list

Question 14

what was McGeoch and McDonald’s findings of their study?

Answer 14

that recall depended on the second list.
the worst group to recall was similar words (synonyms)

Question 15

what does McGeoch and McDonald’s interference study show

Answer 15

it shows that interference is strongest when memories are similar

Question 16

explanation for forgetting: interference EVALUATION - evidence from lab studies

Answer 16

• many lab experiments such as McGeoch and McDonald’s show both types of inference are likely to be common ways we forget info from LTM
• supports existence of separate acoustic and visual store

Question 17

explanation for forgetting: inference EVALUATION - Artificial materials

Answer 17

• interference is more likely to be demonstrated in lab than real life situations
• not all the tasks are everyday tasks

Question 18

explanation for forgetting: inference EVALUATION - Real-life studies

Answer 18

• Baddeley and Hitch (1977) wanted to find out if interference or time were better explanation for forgetting.
• they asked rugby players to recall the names of the teams they had played that season. some of the players hadn’t played in all matches
• results showed recall depended on number of matches played, not how long ago.
  — shows interference can be applied to some everyday situations

Question 19

explanation for forgetting: inference EVALUATION - time between learning

Answer 19

• majority of lab experiments are designed so the possibility of interference is maximised
• but the whole learning and recall process could be over within an hour.

Question 20

explanation for forgetting: inference EVALUATION - interference effects may be overcome using cues

Answer 20

• Tulving and Psotka (1971) found that if given cues, participants are able to recall more words, even if interference occurred previously