Explanations for forgetting:Interference

Question 1

what is meant by forgetting

Answer 1

loss of ability to recall or recognise something you have previously learnt

Question 2

what is meant by interference

Answer 2

occurs when two pieces of info conflict each other resulting in forgetting one or both

Question 3

what are the two types of interference

Answer 3

• proactive

- retroactive

Question 4

what is proactive interference

Answer 4

when past learning interferes with current learning

Question 5

what is retroactive interference

Answer 5

when current learning interferes with past learning

Question 6

what are examples of proactive interference

Answer 6

• putting a password in and start to type an old one

- calling a newly married friend by their old name

Question 7

what are examples of retroactive interference

Answer 7

-unable to recall lessons from previous years

Question 8

who studied retroactive interference

Answer 8

McGeoh and McDonald

Question 9

what was the procedure of McGeoch and McDonalds study

Answer 9

-ppts learnt a list of 10 words until 100% accuracy and then given a new list
-there were six groups of ppts with different lists:
1-synonyms
2-antonyms
3-unrelated words
4-nonsense syllables
5-three digit numbers
6-no new list

Question 10

what were the findings of McGeoch and McDonalds study

Answer 10

when ppts recalled the original list of words their performance depended on the nature of the second list
-synonyms produced the worst recall

Question 11

what was the conclusion of McGeoch and McDonalds study

Answer 11

interference is stronger when memories are similar

Question 12

evaluate interference theory(strengths)

Answer 12

• thousands of lab studies show both types of interference and control extraneous variables
• real word application (eg study found recall and recognition of the advertisers message was impaired when ppts were exposed to two adverts for competing brands in one week)

Question 13

evaluate interference theory (weaknesses)

Answer 13

• most lab studies are asked to recall after a short period of time so may not be reflective of how we normally learn info in real life settings
• only explains some instances of forgetting and there are special conditions required for interference to occur ie memories need to be similar

Question 14

what were the findings of Baddeley and Hitch’s study

Answer 14

those who had played more games forgot the names of more players therefore supporting interference theory