Memory- Explanations For Forgetting: Interference Flashcards
Interference -
Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten.
Proactive interference (PI) -
Forgetting occurs when older memories, already stored, disrupt the recall of newer memories. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar.
Retroactive interference (RI) -
Forgetting occurs when newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored. The degree of forgetting is again greater when the memories are similar.
What is interference theory?
At least some forgetting occurs because of interference, where two pieces of information conflict, leading to forgetting or distortion of memory.
What type of memory does interference mainly explain?
Interference is proposed as an explanation for forgetting in long-term memory (LTM).
Why does forgetting in LTM occur according to interference theory?
Forgetting in LTM happens because we can’t access memories, even though they are available, due to interference making it harder to locate them.
What are the two types of interference?
Proactive interference (PI) and retroactive interference (RI).
What is proactive interference?
Proactive interference occurs when an older memory interferes with a newer one.
What is an example of proactive interference?
A teacher who has learned many names in the past struggles to remember the names of her current class.
What is retroactive interference?
Retroactive interference happens when a newer memory interferes with an older one.
What is an example of retroactive interference?
A teacher who has learned many new names this year struggles to remember the names of students from last year.
What makes interference worse?
Interference is worse when the memories or learning are similar.
What did McGeoch and McDonald study?
They studied retroactive interference by changing the similarity between two sets of materials.
What were the six groups in McGeoch and McDonald’s study?
Group 1: synonyms, Group 2: antonyms, Group 3: unrelated words, Group 4: consonant syllables, Group 5: three-digit numbers, Group 6: no new list (rested).
What did McGeoch and McDonald find?
Recall was worst for the most similar material (synonyms), showing interference is strongest when memories are similar.
What is a strength of interference theory?
Lab experiments control irrelevant influences, providing confidence that interference is a valid explanation for forgetting.
What is a limitation of interference theory?
Artificial materials like word lists make interference more likely in the lab, which may not reflect real-life forgetting.
What did Baddeley and Hitch study?
They studied interference in everyday situations by asking rugby players to recall teams they played.
What did Baddeley and Hitch find?
Recall depended on the number of games played, not the time passed, showing interference applies to everyday situations.
How can interference effects be overcome?
Interference effects can be overcome using cues, such as category names in cued recall tests.
What is a limitation of lab experiments on interference?
Short time periods between learning and recalling lists may not reflect real-life learning and memory.
What did Tulving and Psotka find about cues?
Recall improved to 70% when participants were given category names as cues, showing interference can be reduced with retrieval cues.
What does Tulving and Psotka’s study tell us about interference?
It shows that interference can be mitigated with cues, supporting the idea that interference affects memory retrieval.
