memory- interference (explanations for forgetting)

Question 1

what is interference?

Answer 1

-when two pieces of info disrupt each other

Question 2

what is proactive interference?

Answer 2

-when an old memory disrupts a new one

Question 3

what is retroactive interference?

Answer 3

-when a newer memory interferes with an old one

Question 4

when is interference worst?

Answer 4

-when memories are most similar

Question 5

when is proactive interference worst?

Answer 5

-previously stored info makes new info more difficult to store

Question 6

when is retroactive interference worst?

Answer 6

-new info overwrites previous memories which are similar

Question 7

who was the main researcher for interference?

Answer 7

McGeoch and McDonald (1931)

Question 8

procedure for McGeoch and McDonald

Answer 8

-p’s asked to learn list of words to 100% accuracy
-then given new list to learn which had new material varied in the degree to which it was similar to the old

Question 9

what were each of the new groups lists for McGeoch and McDonald’s study into interference?

Answer 9

1- synonyms
2- antonyms
3- unrelated words
4- consonant syllables
5- three-digit numbers
6-no new list (control condition)

Question 10

what were the findings of McGeoch and McDonald’s study into interference?

Answer 10

-performance depended on the nature of the second list. most similar material produced worst recall

Question 11

what was the conclusion of McGeoch and McDonald’s study into interference?

Answer 11

-interference strongest when memories are similar

Question 12

ao3 of interference: real world situations

Answer 12

-Baddeley and Hitch (1977) asked rugby players to recall names of teams they played against during a rugby season
- players didn’t play same no. of games (injuries). those who played most (more interference) had poorest recall
-shows interference operates in some everyday situations increasing the ecological validity

Question 13

ao3 of interference: counterpoint to real world situations

Answer 13

-interference in everyday situations is unusual because the necessary conditions are relatively rare e.g. similarity of learning/memories doesn’t occur often
-so most everyday forgetting may be better explained by other theories

Question 14

ao3 of interference: may be overcome using cues

Answer 14

-Tulving and Psotka (1971) gave p’s lists of words organised into categories (not told what they were)
-recall of first list was 70% but fell with each new list (interference). when given cued recall test (names of categories) recall rose again to 70%
-shoes interference only causes temporary loss of access to material still in LTM- not predicted by theory.

Question 15

ao3 of interference: drug studies

Answer 15

-material learned just before taking diazepam recalled better than a placebo group one week later- this is RETROGRADE FACILITATION
-drug stopped new info reaching brain areas that process memories so it couldn’t retroactively interfere with stored info (Wixted).
-shows forgetting due to interference- reducing interference reduced the forgetting.