Explanations for forgetting: Interference Flashcards
Explanations for forgetting: Interference
What is interference in the context of memory?
Interference refers to the phenomenon where some memories interfere with the retrieval of other memories.
What are the two types of interference?
The two types of interference are proactive interference and retroactive interference.
Define proactive interference.
Proactive interference occurs when older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories.
Define retroactive interference.
Retroactive interference occurs when new memories disrupt the recall of older memories.
True or False: Interference is a major reason for forgetting.
True.
What is the role of similarity in interference?
Higher similarity between memories can lead to greater interference and more forgetting.
What did McGeoch and McDonald (1931) study about interference?
They studied how different types of intervening material affect recall, demonstrating that interference can reduce memory performance.
What is the ‘fan effect’ in memory interference?
The fan effect refers to the phenomenon where the more associations a concept has, the longer it takes to retrieve that information due to interference.
Fill in the blank: In proactive interference, older memories interfere with ______ memories.
newer
Fill in the blank: In retroactive interference, newer memories interfere with ______ memories.
older
What is an example of proactive interference?
An example is when you learn a new phone number but keep recalling your old number instead.
What is an example of retroactive interference?
An example is when you learn a new language and struggle to remember words from a previously learned language.
Which type of interference is likely to occur in a classroom setting with similar subjects?
Proactive interference.
True or False: Interference can happen only with similar types of information.
False.
What is the interference theory?
The interference theory posits that forgetting occurs because memories interfere with one another.
What did the study by Baddeley and Hitch (1977) demonstrate?
Their study demonstrated that interference plays a significant role in forgetting in real-life situations, such as rugby players recalling match details.
How can interference be reduced in learning?
Interference can be reduced by spacing out learning sessions and ensuring that information is distinct.
What is the effect of time on interference?
As time passes, the likelihood of interference may decrease, but memories can still be affected by new information.
Fill in the blank: Interference is more likely to occur when there is ______ between the new and old information.
similarity
What is the difference between interference and decay in memory?
Interference involves the disruption of memory retrieval by other memories, while decay refers to the fading of memory over time without use.
What is the main focus of interference theory?
The main focus is on how competing memories can hinder the retrieval of desired information.
True or False: Interference only affects short-term memory.
False.
What is the role of cue-dependent forgetting in relation to interference?
Cue-dependent forgetting can interact with interference, as the absence of retrieval cues can exacerbate forgetting caused by interference.
What is an experimental method used to study interference?
One method is the paired-associate learning task, where participants learn pairs of words and test the effects of interference.
How does the length of time between learning and recall affect interference?
Longer intervals can increase the potential for interference, as more new information may be learned in the meantime.
Fill in the blank: The concept of ______ suggests that memories can compete with one another, leading to forgetting.
interference
What type of memory is most affected by interference?
Both short-term and long-term memory can be affected by interference.
Which type of interference is typically studied in laboratory settings?
Retroactive interference is often studied in controlled laboratory settings.
What was the conclusion of the study by Underwood (1957) regarding proactive interference?
Underwood concluded that proactive interference could significantly impair memory performance over time.
True or False: The more information you learn, the less likely you are to experience interference.
False.
What is an implication of interference theory for studying?
Students should avoid cramming and instead space out their study sessions to minimize interference.
Fill in the blank: Proactive interference can make it difficult to learn ______ information.
new
What is the ‘release from proactive interference’ phenomenon?
It refers to the observation that performance improves when the material being learned is sufficiently different from previously learned material.
What is the impact of learning similar subjects back-to-back?
Learning similar subjects back-to-back can increase the likelihood of proactive interference.
What type of interference can occur when learning a new skill that is similar to a previously learned skill?
Proactive interference.
What is the ‘interference paradigm’ in memory research?
It is a method of studying interference by manipulating the type of material learned and measuring recall.
Fill in the blank: Interference is often tested using ______ tasks.
recall
What is the effect of interference on memory retrieval?
Interference can lead to slower retrieval times and increased errors in recall.
True or False: All types of memory are equally susceptible to interference.
False.
What is the ‘interference effect’?
It is the phenomenon where learning new information negatively impacts the ability to recall previously learned information.
What is the main takeaway from research on interference and forgetting?
Interference is a significant factor in forgetting and can be managed through strategic learning techniques.
Fill in the blank: The interference theory suggests that memories can ______ with each other.
compete
What is the relevance of interference theory to everyday memory challenges?
It helps explain why people often forget information when learning similar new information shortly after.
What did the research by Tulving (1974) contribute to the understanding of interference?
Tulving’s research highlighted the importance of context and cues in mitigating interference.
Fill in the blank: Memory interference can be minimized by ensuring that information is ______.
distinct
What are the implications of interference theory for educational practices?
Educators should design curricula that reduce similarity between topics to minimize interference.
What is the effect of interference on long-term retention of information?
Interference can significantly hinder long-term retention and recall of information.
True or False: Interference only occurs in human memory.
False.
What is the significance of the ‘list-learning paradigm’ in studying interference?
It allows researchers to systematically investigate how different lists of items can interfere with each other.
Fill in the blank: Research on interference supports the idea that memory is ______ rather than a perfect recording.
reconstructive
What is a common method used to demonstrate retroactive interference?
Learning a list of words followed by a different list and testing recall for the first list.
What is the ‘forgetting curve’ and its relation to interference?
The forgetting curve illustrates how memory retention declines over time, and interference can exacerbate this decline.
Fill in the blank: The phenomenon where memory performance improves when learning different types of material is known as ______ from proactive interference.
release
What is the role of context in memory retrieval and interference?
Contextual cues can help mitigate the effects of interference by providing retrieval aids.
How does interference theory explain the difficulty in recalling older memories after learning new ones?
New memories may disrupt the pathways or cues needed to retrieve older memories.
What is the importance of understanding interference in cognitive psychology?
It provides insights into the mechanisms of memory and forgetting, aiding in the development of effective learning strategies.
Fill in the blank: The phenomenon that describes forgetting due to the presence of similar information is called ______.
interference
What are strategies to minimize interference during studying?
Using varied study materials, spacing study sessions, and incorporating different learning methods.
What can be done to enhance memory retention in light of interference?
Employing mnemonic devices and ensuring adequate sleep can enhance memory retention.
True or False: Memory interference is a phenomenon that only affects academic learning.
False.
What is the relationship between interference and memory consolidation?
Interference can disrupt the consolidation process, hindering the transition of memories from short-term to long-term storage.
Fill in the blank: The study of interference helps us understand the ______ of memory.
limitations
