Interference theory

Question 1

Define: interference

Answer 1

Proposes that forgetting occurs because other memories interfere with the retrieval of what we are trying to recover - particularly if the other memories are similar

Question 2

Define: interference

Answer 2

difficulty in retrieving information from memory, caused by either proactive or retroactive interference

Question 3

When is interference more likely?

Answer 3

When information is very similar, or information is learned within a very short time period.

Question 4

McGeoch and McDonald (1931)’s research on the effect of similarity on interference?

Answer 4

Participants given a list of two-syllable adjectives, then another list (of varying similarity - from synonyms to totally unrelated words). When their recall of the first list was tested, less info was retrieved when the two lists were similar.

Question 5

What are the two main kinds of interference?

Answer 5

Retroactive interference and proactive interference.

Question 6

Define: retroactive interference with example?

Answer 6

when new information interferes with the ability to remember old information. eg. learning french then spanish and being tested in french; learning of spanish will interfere with learning of french

Question 7

Define: proactive interference with example?

Answer 7

when information learned previously interferes with the ability to remember new information. eg. Learning spanish then french and being tested in french; learning spanish will interfere with learning of french.

Question 8

Limitations of the interference theory?

Answer 8

Does not account for forgetting due to innappropriate retrieval cues/failure to access anxiety-laden memories/disruption due to brain trauma
Lab experiments rely on recall (more prone to interference than recognition or relearning)
Nonsense syllables/lists more vulnerable to interference than in real life (meaningful stimuli stored semantically)