Explanations For Forgetting - Interference Flashcards

1
Q

What is interference?

A

When two pieces of information disrupt each other, resulting in forgetting or distortion of memory

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2
Q

Proactive interference (PI)

A

When older memories, already stored, disrupt the recall of newer memories

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3
Q

Retroactive interference (RI)

A

When newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored

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4
Q

McGeoch and McDonald (1931) procedure

A

P’s had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them all with 100% accuracy, then a new list (either synonyms, antonyms, unrelated, consonant syllables, three-digit numbers or no new list at all)

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5
Q

McGeoch and McDonald (1931) findings

A

When p’s were asked to recall the original list of words, the synonym group produced the worst recall, suggesting interference is strongest when memories are similar

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6
Q

Strengths of interference

A
  • Reliable results (eg. Baddeley & Hitch found rugby players who played more games could recall less team names)
  • Research support for proactive interference (eg. Schmidt found the more people moved, the less street names remembered)
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7
Q

Limitations of interference

A
  • Individual differences (eg. Individuals with a greater WM span are less susceptible to interference)
  • Research lacks ecological validity (eg. Participants learned meaningless list of words, lacking mundane realism)
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