Explanations for forgetting: interference Flashcards
What is interference?
Forgetting because one memory blocks another causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten
Interference is an explanation for forgetting in …
the LTM
Why does forgetting in the LTM occur?
-Can’t get access to information, even though they are available
What are the two types of interference?
proactive & retroactive
What is proactive interference?
old memories interfere with new memories
e.g. learning a new language and constantly slipping back into native language
e.g. calling your new bf your old bf name
What is retroactive interference?
new memories interfere with old memories
e.g. forgot old phone number as new number has replaced
e.g. memory of new car registration number prevents recall of previous car registration number
Who did research on the effects of similarity of information?
McGeoch & McDonald
What was McGeoch & McDonald’s hypothesis?
In PI & RI , the interference is worse when memories (learning) are similar
What was McGeoch & McDonald’s procedure?
-studied RI by changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials
P’s had to learn list of 10 words that they could recall with 100& accuracy
- They then learnt a new word list
How were the groups split in McGeoch and McDonalds study?
-six groups of P’s
- Group 1-synonyms (words with same meanings as originals)
- Group 2 -antonyms (words with opposite meanings to originals)
- Group 3- words unrelated to original ones
- Group 4- consonant syllables
- Group 5- three digit numbers
-Group 6- no new list (rested) -control
What were McGeoch & McDonalds findings and conclusions?
-When P’s asked to recall original list of words the most similar material (synonyms) produced the worse recall
-This shows interference is stronger when the memories are similar
Explanation for the effects of similarity
-either proactive interference or retroactive interference
What evidence is there to support effects of interference?
-Baddeley & Hitch asked rugby players to recall names of teams they had played during the season
-number of intervening games varied because some missed matches due to injury
-players who played the most games had the poorest recall
What is the counterpoint against the real- world effects of interference?
-interference may cause some forgetting but it is unusual
-conditions necessary for interference to occur are rare
-e.g. two memories similar for interference to occur - happens occasionally
-can be better explained by retrieval failure
Explain interference & cues evaluation point
-interference is temporary & can be overcome by cues
-Tulving & Potska - P’s gave list of words organised into categories (don’t know categories)
-recall=70% for first list but became worse as P learnt new list (PI)
-at end p’s given cue recall test
-recall rose back to 70%
-interference causes temporary loss