Explanations for forgetting: interference theory

Question 1

What is the interference theory?

Answer 1

Interference theory argues that long- term memories are still in the LTM store, but they aren’t accessible. It states that similarity is at the heart of forgetting. Interference theory states that there are 2 ways in which interference works. It can be proactive or retroactive

Question 2

proactive interference -

Answer 2

Where old memories disrupt the formation of similar new memories.

Question 3

retroactive interference -

Answer 3

Where new memories distrust the retrieval of of similar old memories.

Question 4

Evaluate the interference theory -

Answer 4

Schmidt et al provides research support for the interference theory as an explanation for forgetting. They assessed the influence of retroactive interference.
211 participants responded to a questionnaire. They were all former students at a Dutch school.
Participants were given a map of the Molenburg neighbourhood with all 48 street names replaced with numbers.
Participants were asked to remember as many of the street names as possible.
There was a positive correlation between the number of times participants had moved to a new house outside the Molenburg neighbourhood and the number of street names they had forgotten. So the memories of the newer neighbourhoods are preventing the recall of the Molenburg neighbourhood.

A weakness of the interference theory is that the theory alone is not enough to explain forgetting. This theory can only explain forgetting when information in a similar format prevents recall. This means that there are many types of recall that are not explained by this theory.