Interference Flashcards
What is interference?
Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten.
What is pro-active interference?
Forgetting when older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories.
What is retro-active interference?
Forgetting when newer memories disrupt the recall of older memoires.
Example of pro-active interference
Sarah accidentally called her new boyfriend by her old boyfriend’s name
Example of retro-active interference
Your teacher has learned so many new names this year that she has difficulty remembering the names of the students last year
When is forgetting greater?
Forgetting is greater when the memories are similar
Supporting evidence - Who carried out the study, what was its aim and procedure?
McGeoch and McDonald (1931) believed interference is worse when the memories are similar.
Procedure – Studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two lists of words. Participants had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy. They then learned a new list. There were 6 groups of participants who had to learn different types of lists:
1: Synonyms – words with the same meanings as the originals
2: Antonyms – words with the opposite meanings to the originals
3: Words unrelated to the original ones
4: Nonsense syllables
5: Three-digit numbers
6: No new list – Pp just rested
What were its findings/conclusion?
Findings – Participants then recalled the original word lists and their performance depended on the nature of the second list. The most similar material (synonyms) produced the worst recall (i.e. forgetting is more likely if information is similar).
Conclusion – Interference is strongest when the memories are similar
Weaknesses
Study quite artificial - recall world lists which don’t reflect day-to-day life (nonsense syllables) - could be more relevant friends birthdays for example. Low in ecological validity.
Doesn’t account for individual differences - Kane & Engle found that those with a greater working memory span were less susceptible to proactive interference - relative to individuals ability
Strengths
Research evidence to support - synonyms = worst so proves interference is worst when memories are similar - supports main assumption
Evidence to suggest takes place in everyday settings - Baddeley & Hitch - rugby players recalled teams they played - those who played the most recalled the least. Proves interference is correct and recognisable in everyday life.
