Forgetting - Interference Theory

Question 1

what are the two types of interference

Answer 1

proactive and retroactive

Question 2

what is proactive interference?

Answer 2

When past information interferes with the new information that you are trying to store

Question 3

what’s retroactive interference?

Answer 3

When new information interferes with older information you have already stored

Question 4

what’s the similarity principle?

Answer 4

When something new is learned that is similar to previously stored information. The attempt to recall one of these memories might be interfered by the other.

Question 5

McGeoch & Mconald (1931)
- theory
- IV1 IV2
- conclusion

Answer 5

When asked to recall the first list it was found that accuracy decreased in both groups, but those in IV (1) recalled the fewest items correctly. This shows support for retroactive interference because the second list (the recent, newer memory) disrupted the older memory of the first list. In addition, it also suggests that retroactive interference is worse when new information is similar to old information, showing the similarity principle

Question 6

underwood 1957

Answer 6

proactive interference. Words learned 24 hours before vs when the experiment started.

Question 7

baddeley and hitch 1977

Answer 7

retroactive interference. Rugby players who played the entire season vs those who sat out with an injury.