Memory: Explanations for forgetting: Interference theory

Question 1

Interference

Answer 1

When 2 pieces of info are in conflict

Question 2

Why does forgetting occur in LTM?

Answer 2

Cant access memories even though they are available

Question 3

Proactive interference

Answer 3

Old memory disrupts new memory

Previously stored info makes NEW info HARDER to store

Question 4

Retroactive interference

Answer 4

New memory disrupts old memory

NEW info OVERWRITES previous memories which are similar

Question 5

What makes interference more likely to occur?

Answer 5

The degree of forgetting is greater if the material is similar

Question 6

What did McGeogh and McDonald study?

Answer 6

The effects of similarity

Question 7

McGeogh and McDonald procedure

Answer 7

Participants learnt lists of words until 100% accurate
Then given another list to learn
New material varied in degree to which it was similar to the old. Ranged from synonyms to 3 digit numbers.

Question 8

McGeogh and McDonald findings

Answer 8

Performance depended upon nature of second list
most similar material = worse recall
Least similar = mean no. of items recalled increased.

Question 9

McGeogh and McDonald conclusion

Answer 9

Shows interference is strongest when memories are similar

Question 10

A03 - lacks external validity

Answer 10

Artificial stimulus - IRL, don’t tend to remember lists of words, however more realistic than memorising trigrams (P&P)
Lacks EL bc not a likely cause of ‘everyday’ forgetting
Interference may not be as likely as an explanation for forgetting in everyday life as it is in a lab.

Question 11

A03 - RWA

Answer 11

helpful for advertisers

Shows its best to space out ads over a long period of time rather than several in quick-fire succession