Interference^ Flashcards
Proactive
old memories replace new
Retroactive
new memories replace old
What is Interference?
two piece of info disturbing each other
- cause forgetting of one or both memories
for LTM’s forgetting mostly
LTM’s Forgetting
accessibility
- memories are present but can’t be accessed (defence mechanism)
availability
- memories were never there
Research on Effects of Similarity
McGeoch & McDonald
- learn two list of words
- interference mostly happen when words are similar (synonyms)
Primary Info
first part of info
Recency
most recent/ last piece of info
Real World Application
evidence
Baddeley & Hitch
- tested rugby player’s memory
- played the most games = the worse recall
interference occurs due to more info interfering with memory
valid explanation
VS Real World Applications
conditions for interference to emerge occurs rarely in life
differs from lab studies
- easy to create conditions
findings cant be applied to everyday life
lacks ecological validity/ mundane realism
Interference & Cues
Interference can be overcome with cues
Tulving & Psotka
- P recall two lists
- Recall poor for second list (PI) but rose to 70% accuracy with cues
Interference effects are strong without cues
Interference is a partial explanation, should consider cues
Support from Drug Studies
Support from retrograde facilitation
- memory enhancement after drugs (diazepam)
Coenen & van Luijtelar
- P able to recall better when memories were coded while on drugs VS CG
- Drug prevented new info to reach the part of brain involved with processing info and interfere with the stored info
Proves forgetting is due to interference
Validity Issues
Lab so highly controlled setting
- Ensures there is a direct rel
McGeoch & McDonald
- Standardised procedures from material and procedures
Can be replicated and proved right
Reliable
VS Validity Issues
lack external validity
These studies are very artificial with their material and procedures
Not reflect RL
Lack mundane realism
Not generalisable
