Interference Theory Of Forgetting Flashcards
What is interference
Occurs when one memory blocks another causing one or both memories to be distorted/forgotten
When is interference greater
When information is similar/close together in time
What is retroactive interference
When recent information clouds the recall of past information
What is proactive interference
When past information moves forward into your consciousness and clouds recall of recent information
Outline the McGeoch and McDonald study
Aim-to see whether there is an effect of similarity in interference
Procedure-studied retroactive interference by changing amount of similarity between two sets of information, participants learnt 10 words until 100% sure then learnt new list(of varying similarity) and had to recall original list
Results- most similar words had worst recall showing interference strongest when memories similar
Conclusion-retroactive interference is greatest when information is more similar
Expand on strength that there is research support from McGeoch and McDonald’s study
-study found that there is more interference in recall when words are similar than when they are dissimilar
-increases validity of claim that interference is greatest when information is similar
Expand on weakness that there is low mundane realism of the studies supporting the theory
-For example, the use of word lists does not reflect real life instances of interference and memory
-suggests the theory may truly tell us very little about interference in the real world
H:these studies have s high internal validity due to high level of control researchers had
Expand on limitation that the theory does not account for individual differences
-for example, Kane and Engle found that individuals with a greater working memory span were less susceptible to proactive interference
-suggests the theory is not generalisable as it cannot be applied to all individuals
