LTM interference Flashcards
what is LTM interference
- 2 pieces of info disrupt each other so we forget one/both or memory distorted
- cant access memories as interference makes it hard to locate
proactive interference
old memory interferes with new one
retroactive interference
new memory interferes with an old one
McGeoch + McDonald 1931
type of inference assessed
retroactive
McGeoch + McDonald 1931
aim
test retention after interval of rest VS after an interval of learning activity
McGeoch + McDonald 1931
IV
learning activity participants were doing in rest interval
McGeoch + McDonald 1931
6 conditions
rest, synonyms, antonyms, 3 digit numbers, nonsense syllables, unrelated
Underwood and postman 1960
type of interference
retroactive
Underwood and postman 1960
aim
investigate how retroactive memory affects the retention of information
Underwood and postman 1960
IV
whether participants had rest interval or had to recall more new words
Underwood and postman 1960
method
- half asked to memorise words pairs then have a rest break before recalling
- half memorised the word pairs but during rest break had to learn another list of words before recall of original list
Underwood and postman 1960
results
- recall of control group (rest break) had more accurate recall
- shows retroactive interference has negative effect on recall
Baddeley and Hitch 1977
type of interference
retroactive
Baddeley and Hitch 1977
aim
investigate how retroactive memory affects the retention of information
Baddeley and Hitch 1977
sample
- male rugby players
- opportunity sampling
Baddeley and Hitch 1977
IV
the amount of games a rugby player has played
Baddeley and Hitch 1977
method
players asked to recall the teams they had played that season
some players played every game, some less due to injury/events
Baddeley and Hitch 1977
results
players who played fewer games recalled teams better
those who had more teams interfere with their memory recalled info worse
AO3 strength (real life)
- Baddeley and hitch real world application
- a real life scenario
- reflects different circumstances that might effect memory e.g. illness, schedule
- ecological validity
AO3 weakness
- lab study
- not reflective of natural environment
- no distractions as in everyday life that could affect memory
- also a more official environment where pp’s aware they are being tested so may focus more
- low external validity
A03 strength (explanation)
- explain why learning languages is difficult
- if English is your first language explains why it would be hard to learn Spanish
- proactive interference means new language would be hard to replace first
- high external validity
