explanations for forgetting ~ interference Flashcards
what is interference
forgetting because one memory blocks/distorts another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten
what has interference been proposed as
explanation for forgetting in LTM
why has interference theory been proposed as a explanation for forgetting in LTM
once information has reached LTM it is basically permanent. therefore, forgetting of LTM is most likely because we cannot access them even though they are available. interference between memories makes it harder for us to locate them and is experienced as forgetting
what are they 2 types of interference
-proactive interference
-retroactive interference
timings of interfering memories
likely that the memories interfering with each other were stored at different times
what is proactive interference (PI)
older memory interferes with a newer one
what is retroactive interference (RI)
newer memory interferes with an older one
when is interference worse
when the memories are similar
who discovered interference is worse when memories are similar
McGeoch and McDonald
when did McGeoch and McDonald discover interference is worse when memories are similar
1931
what was the procedure in McGeoch and McDonald’s study of retroactive interference
changed the amount of similarity between 2 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 6 groups of participants who had to learn different types of new lists
what were the 6 groups in the procedure in McGeoch and McDonald’s study of retroactive interference
-group 1, synonyms
-group 2, antonyms
-group 3, words unrelated to the original ones
-group 4, constant syllables
-group 5, three-digit numbers
-group 6, no new list as participants rested (control condition)
findings of McGeoch and McDonald’s study of retroactive interference
-when asked to recall original list of words synonyms (most similar material) produced worst recall and those with no new lists produced the best recall
conclusions of McGeoch and McDonald’s study of retroactive interference
interference is the strongest when memories are similar
explanation for the effects of similarity
could be 2 reasons
-due to PI as previously stored information makes new similar information more difficult to store
-due to RI as new information overwrites previous similar memories because of similarity
strength for interference as explanation for forgetting - real-world interference
-evidence of interference effects in more everyday situations
-Baddeley and Hitch (1977) asked rugby players to recall the names of teams they had played against last season. all players had played over same time interval as it was a season. players who played the most games (most interference memory) had the poorest recall –> shows that interference can operate in at least some real-world situations
limitation for interference as explanation for forgetting - counterpoint to real-world interference
-interference may cause some forgetting in everyday situations, but this is not usual
-conditions needed for interference are relatively rare. this is very unlike in lab studies where the high degree of control means a researcher can create ideal conditions for interference. for example two memories have to be in a fairly similar order to interfere, this may happen occasionally but not often –> forgetting may be better explained by other theories such as retrial failure or lack of cues
limitation for interference as explanation for forgetting - interference and cues
-interference is temporary and can be overcome by cues
-Tulving and Psotka (1971) gave participants lists of words organised into categories, one list at a time. recall averaged about 70% for first list, but became progressively worse as participants learned each additional list (proactive interference). at the end participants were given cued recall test where recall rose to 70% –> interference causes temporary loss of accessibility to material that is still in LTM which is a finding not predicated by interference theory
strength for interference as explanation for forgetting - support from drug studies
-evidence of retrograde facilitation
-Concen and Luijtelaar (1997) gave participants a list of words and later asked them to recall, assuming intervening experiences would act as interference
-they found that when a list was learnt under the influence of the drug diazepam, recall one week later was poorer
-when list was learnt before drug was taken recall was better than placebo so the drug improved recall
-Wixted suggests this is because the drug prevents new information reaching the parts of the brain involved in processing memories, so cannot interfere retroactivley with the information already stored –> forgetting can by due to interference so reducing interference can reduce forgetting
evaluation for interference as explanation for forgetting - validity issues (confounding variables)
s-most studies supporting interference theory are lab-based so there is control over variables. confounding variables means studies show a clear link between interference and forgetting
l-studies use artificial materials and unrealistic procedures. in everyday life we learn something and recall later such as revising for exams
