⚪️ Memory - Interference as an Explanation for Forgetting

Question 1

Interference

Answer 1

One memory disturbs the ability to recall another. This might result in forgetting or distorting one or the other or both

Question 2

Proactive interference

Answer 2

New information being interfered with. This is due to previously learnt information interfering with new information

For example, you have difficulty learning your new phone number due to your memory of your old one

Question 3

Retroactive interference

Answer 3

Old information being interfered with. New info overwrites previously stored info. A new memory interferes with old ones

For example, you have difficulty remembering the names of students you taught last year but not this year

Question 4

Aim of postman (1960)

Answer 4

• to investigate how retroactive interference affects learning. In other words, to investigate information you recently received interferes with the ability to recall someone you learned earlier than that

Question 5

Method of postman 1960

Answer 5

Lab experiment, participants split into 2 groups.
- both groups had to remember a list of paired words
- the experimental groups had to remember 2 lists of paired words. The control group only given 1

Question 6

Results of postman 1960

Answer 6

The recall of the control group was more accurate than the experimental group. Due to no interference for the control group

Question 7

Conclusion of postman 1960

Answer 7

Suggests that learning items in the second list interfered with participants ability to recall the list. Example of retroactive interference , new information interfered with old

Question 8

Method Study of baddeley and hitch 1977

Answer 8

• asked rugby players to recall the names of teams they had played earlier in the season
• most players interviewed had missed most games

Question 9

Results of baddeley and hitch 1977

Answer 9

They found that recall of the last game was equally good whether it was a week ago or some time ago.

Showing that incorrect recall was not due to decay but was related to the number of intervening games

Question 10

Negative of interference as an explanation of forgetting

Answer 10

• issue of validity: evidence that interference can explain forgetting frequently comes from artificial lab experiments using artificial tasks. So interference may not occur to the same extent in real life scenarios

Question 11

Positive of interference as an explanation for forgetting

Answer 11

• lab experiments can be a strength because extraneous variables can be controlled and they can be replicated so reliability can be tested
• some evidence has high ecological validity due to it being a natural experiment which shows real life interference