Explanations of forgetting: Interference

Question 1

What is interference?

Answer 1

Interference is when forgetting that is caused when 1 memory blocks another. This causes 1 or both memories to be distorted or forgotten.

Question 2

What are the 2 types of interference?

Answer 2

proactive

retroactive

Question 3

What’s proactive interference?

Answer 3

Occurs when an older memory interferes with a newer one.

Question 4

What’s retroactive interference?

Answer 4

Occurs when a newer memory interferes with an older one.

Question 5

Who conducted the effects of similarity experiment?

Answer 5

McGeoch and McDonald (1931)

Question 6

What did McGeoch and McDonald study in the effects of similarity experiment ?

Answer 6

McGeoch and McDonald studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between 2 sets of material.

Question 7

What was the procedure of the effects of similarity experiment?

Answer 7

Ppts had to learn a list of words until they could 100% accurately recall the list. They then learned a second list. There were 6 groups of ppts so 6 different types of second lists:
group 1: synonyms
group 2: antonyms 
group 3: unrelated words 
group 4: consonant syllables 
group 5: 3 digit numbers
group 6: no list 
After learning the 2nd list, the ppts had to recall the 1st.

Question 8

What were the findings of the effects of similarities?

Answer 8

Performance of recalling the 1st list depended on the nature of the second list.

The most similar materials (synonyms) produced the worst recall.

This shows that interference is strongest when the memories are similar.