Interferance Flashcards
Explanations for forgetting?
“Interference and retrieval failure.”
What is interference? The types?
“Interference is an explanation for forgetting from long-term memory – two sets of information become confused. There is proactive and retroactive interference.”
What is proactive interference?
“Proactive interference (pro=forward) is where old learning prevents recall of more recent information. When what we already know interferes with what we are currently learning – where old memories disrupt new memories.”
What is retroactive interference?
Retroactive interference (retro=backward) is where new learning prevents recall of previously learned information. In other words, later learning interferes with earlier learning - where new memories disrupt old memories.
When are these forms of interference thought to occur? Who suggested this? What did they say?
Proactive and retroactive interference is thought to be more likely to occur where the memories are similar, for example: confusing old and new telephone numbers. Chandler (1989) stated that students who study similar subjects at the same time often experience interference. French and Spanish are similar types of material which makes interference more likely.
Who produced another piece of evidence?
Postman (1960) provides evidence to support the interference theory of forgetting.
What was the procedure of the experiment?
A lab experiment was used, and participants were split into two groups. Both groups had to remember a list of paired words – e.g. cat - tree, jelly - moss, book - tractor. The experimental group also had to learn another list of words where the second paired word is different – e.g. cat – glass, jelly- time, book – revolver. The control group were not given the second list. All participants were asked to recall the words on the first list.
What were the results? What do they suggest?
The recall of the control group was more accurate than that of the experimental group. This suggests that learning items in the second list interfered with participants’ ability to recall the list. This is an example of retroactive interference.
What are two issues with the interference theory of forgetting?
First, interference theory tells us little about the cognitive processes involved in forgetting. Secondly, the majority of research into the role of interference in forgetting has been carried out in a laboratory using lists of words, a situation which is likely to occur fairly infrequently in everyday life (i.e. low ecological validity). As a result, it may not be possible to generalize from the findings.
Who has an issue with the interference theory? What do they say? What has been done in response?
Baddeley states that the tasks given to subjects are too close to each other and, in real life; these kinds of events are more spaced out. Nevertheless, recent research has attempted to address this by investigating ‘real-life’ events and has provided support for interference theory. However, there is no doubt that interference plays a role in forgetting, but how much forgetting can be attributed to interference remains unclear.
Which kind of memory is most resistant to interference?
Semantic memory is more resistant to interference than other types of memory.
