Explanations for forgetting: Interference

Question 1

What is the definition of interference?

Answer 1

Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten

Question 2

What are the 2 types of interference?

Answer 2

Proactive and retroactive

Question 3

What is proactive intereference?

Answer 3

When old memories disrupt the recall of newer memories

Question 4

What is retroactive interference?

Answer 4

When new memories disrupt the recall of old memories already stored

Question 5

Why does similarity affect recall?

Answer 5

Proactive - previously stored information makes new simialr information more difficult to store.

Retroactive - new information overwrites similar memories due to similarity.

Question 6

Effects of similarity study - McGeoch and McDonald
PROCEDURE

Answer 6

• They changed amount of similarity between 2 sets of materials.
• Learnt 10 words until they could remember them 100% accurately.
• Then learnt a new list: 6 groups oof participants.

Question 7

What were the 6 groups in the effects of similarity study?

Answer 7

1) Synonyms - same meanings as originals
2) Antonyms - words with opposite meanings
3) Words unrelated to originals
4) Consonant syllables
5) 3 digit numbers
6) Participants just rested

Question 8

What were the general results of the effects of similarity study?

Answer 8

3 digit numbers were recalled more often than the other groups

Question 9

What was the conclusion of the effects of similarity study?

Answer 9

When the participants were asked to recall the original list of words, the most similar material produced the worst recall.

Question 10

What is a strength of the interference explanation? - Real world examples (Baddeley and Hitch)

Answer 10

• Baddeley and Hitch (1977) - rugby players
• Were asked to remember who they played against.
• Players had played different numbers of games over the season.
• Most games played = poorest recall.

Question 11

What is a limitation of this explanation? - Only a partial explanation

Answer 11

• Lab studies can be set up with ideal conditions for interference. e.g = similar sets of words
• These conditions are rare in real life.
• Forgetting may be better explained by other theories such as retrieval failure.

Question 12

What is a limitation of the interference explanation? - Interference can be overcome using cues

Answer 12

Tulving and Psotka study:
- Participants had lists of words in different categories.
- Recall of first list was 70%. Got worse for each new list.
- When a cue was given, recall for later lists rose to 70%.
- Forgetting is due to a loss of accessibility not availability.