Memory - Explanations for forgetting : Interference Flashcards
What is interference theory?
We forget because our LTM becomes confused ( disrupted) by other information while coded
What is Proactive interference?
When OLD information disrupts new information.
What is Retro-active interference?
When NEW information disrupts old information
What are the two factors that affect interference?
When the two pieces of information are similar due to response competition.
And Time sensitivity if there is a larger gap between learning interference is less likely to occur
Give me examples of Retro-active & Proactive interference.
example of proactive interference:
is when you get a new mobile phone number: your memory for your old number will disrupt your attempts to remember your new number
Retro active example, once you have learned your new mobile number, it is often very difficult to recall your old number.
Strength of interfernece - Research support Baddeley & Hitch
P: There is research support for interference theory.
E: Baddeley and Hitch (1977) examined rugby union players who had played every match in the season and players who had missed some games due to injury. The players were asked to recall the names of the teams they had played against earlier in the season. Baddeley and Hitch found that players who had played the most games forgot proportionately more games than those who had played fewer games due to injury.
E: These results support the idea of retroactive inference, as the learning of new information (new team names) interfered with the memory of old information (earlier team names).
Limitation of interference : Lack of ecological validity
P: Interference research is often criticised for being artificial and lacking ecological validity.
E: Most of the research examining interference is carried out in a laboratory.
E: For example, Keppel and Underwood found that participants typically remembered the three-letter trigrams that were presented first in a sequence, irrespective of how long the interval was between presentation and recall.
L: Many psychologists argue that these findings lack ecological validity do not represent everyday examples of interference (or forgetting) and are limited in their application to everyday human memory.
