Explanations for forgetting: interference

Question 1

define interference

Answer 1

forgetting bc one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten

Question 2

what is interference theory usually used for ?

Answer 2

• an explanation for forgetting in LTM
• forgetting LTM is most likely because we cannot get access to that information even though it is available

Question 3

what are the type of interference ?

Answer 3

proactive and retroactive

Question 4

what is proactive interference ?

Answer 4

when an older memory interferes with a newer one

Question 5

what is retroactive interference ?

Answer 5

when a newer memory interferes with an older one

Question 6

who researched the effects of similarity in words on interference ?

Answer 6

McGeoch and McDonald

Question 7

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

Answer 7

ppt had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy and then learned a new list.
- 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 ( control group )

Question 8

what were the findings and conclusions of McGeoch and McDonald’s study ?

Answer 8

• when participants were asked to recall the original list of words, the most similar material (synonyms) produced the worst recall
• shows that interference is the strongest when the memories are similar

Question 9

evaluation - what does real world application do for interference ? - strength

Answer 9

P - evidence of interference effects in more everyday situations
E - Baddeley and Hitch asked rugby players to recall the names of the teams they had played against during a rugby season
- played for the same time interval (one season) but the number of intervening games varied because some players missed matches due to injury
E - players who played the most games (most interference) had the poorest recall
L - can operate in real life situations so INCREASES validity to the theory

Question 10

evaluation - what does interference and cues do to the theory ? - limitation

Answer 10

P - interference is temporary and can be overcome by using cues
E - Tulving and Psotka gave participants a lost of words organised into categories one list at a time
- recall averaged 70% for the first list but became progressively worse as participants learned each additional list
- at the end of the procedure they were given a cued recall teat and recall rose again to 70%
E - interference causes a temporary memory loss of accessibility to material that is still in LTM