Interference theory

Question 1

What are the two types of Interference?

Answer 1

Proactive and Retroactive interference

Question 2

What is interference?

Answer 2

When 2 pieces of information disrupt each other. Causes forgetting in the LTM as we cant get access to memories even though they are available.

Question 3

What is Proactive interference?

Answer 3

When an old memory disrupts a newer one.

Question 4

What is Retroactive interference?

Answer 4

When a newer memory disrupts an old one.

Question 5

When is interference more significant?

Answer 5

When memories are similar. This may be because in PI, previously stored info makes new info difficult to store, and in RI new info overwrites previous similar memories.

Question 6

When was McGeoch and McDonald’s effect of similarity study?

Answer 6

1931

Question 7

What was McGeoch and McDonald’s 1931 study?

Answer 7

Asked to learn word list until it could be perfectly recalled. Participants then given a new list with degrees of similarity to the old list. (G1: synonyms, G2: antonyms, G3: unrelated, G4: consonant syllables, G5: 3 digit numbers, G6: control (no new list))
The most similar material produced worst recall. Shows that interference is strongest with similar memories.

Question 8

Strength for Interference- real-life situations

Answer 8

Baddeley and Hitch in 1977 asked rugby players to recall names of teams they played against during the season,. Those who played the most games had the poorest recall due to interference (sports injuries had meant that not everyone played all games)

Question 9

Limitation of interference- Tulving and Psotka 1971- interference overcome using cues.

Answer 9

Gave participants lists of words organized into categories. The recall of the first list was 70% and decreased with each new list added. However, when given a cued recall test (with the names of the list categories) recall rose again to 70%. Shows that interference only causes a temporary loss of material which is still accessible in the LTM.