Explanations For Forgetting: Interference

Question 1

What is interference theory?

Answer 1

A theory explaining how learning new information can disrupt the recall of previously learned information.

Question 2

Define retroactive interference

Answer 2

Occurs when later learning interferes with the recall of previously learned tasks.

Question 3

What is proactive interference?

Answer 3

Occurs when prior learning interferes with the ability to learn new tasks.

Question 4

Who conducted a research example in 1960 related to interference theory?

Answer 4

Postman

Question 5

What was the main finding of Postman’s 1960 experiment?

Answer 5

The control group recalled the first list of words more accurately than the experimental group.

Question 6

What was the accuracy of recall after 24 hours for participants who learned one word list according to Underwood (1957)?

Answer 6

70%

Question 7

What was the accuracy of recall after 24 hours for participants who learned ten word lists according to Underwood (1957)?

Answer 7

20%

Question 8

What does McGeoch and McDonald’s study demonstrate regarding interference?

Answer 8

Proactive and retroactive interference are more likely to occur when memories are similar.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Retroactive interference occurs when _______ disrupts old memories.

Answer 9

[new learning]

Question 10

Fill in the blank: Proactive interference occurs when _______ disrupts new memories.

Answer 10

[old learning]

Question 11

True or False: Similarity of test models can lead to greater interference.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What is the accuracy percentage for recalling List 3 in McGeoch and McDonald’s study if List B was similar?

Answer 12

12%

Question 13

What does the term ‘similarity of test models’ refer to in the context of interference?

Answer 13

It refers to the tendency for proactive and retroactive interference to occur more frequently when the memories involved are similar.