Memory- Interference theory Flashcards
Define interference
An explanation for forgetting in terms of one memory disrupting the ability to recall another, most likely to occur when the two memories share similarities
What is proactive interference?
When past learning interferes with current learning
Give an example of proactive interference
Teacher has remembered so many names in the past that she has difficulty remembering the names of her current classes
What is retroactive interference?
Current learning interferes with past learning
Give an example of retroactive interference
You can’t remember how to divide fractions the way your teacher showed you because your new teacher teaches it differently to your old one
Who researched interference theory?
McGeoch and McDonald -1931
What was the procedure for McGeoch and McDonald’s research?
-Participants had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy
-They then learned a new list
-6 Groups of participants who learned different types of lists
1- synonyms
2- antonyms
3- unrelated to the original word
4- nonsense syllables
5- 3 digit number
6- no new list
What were the findings of McGeoch and McDonald’s research?
-When participants recalled the original word list, their performance depended on their second-word list
- The most similar words produced the worst recall
What was the conclusion of McGeoch and McDonald’s research?
Interference is strongest when the memories are similar
What was the aim of McGeoch and McDonald’s research?
To see how changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials affected the severity of retroactive interference
Give a strength of interference theory (Similarity of test materials)
-Research evidence to suggest that similarity of test materials is a key factor in interference
-Mcgeoch and McDonald (1931) found that when the participants recalled the original word list, their performance depended on the 2nd word list
-The most similar words produced the worst recall such as List 1
-Therefore, this provides evidence for interference theories’ main assumption
Give a limitation of interference theory (Artificial research)
-Mcgeogh and Mcdonald and most other research into interference was quite artificial
-The participants are asked to recall word lists which is not something people do in everyday life
-Participants may lack the motivation to learn/ memorise artificial information as it serves no purpose in day-to-day life so interference is more likely to occur
-Recalling things such as birthdays or revision would be more applicable to everyday life rather than recalling word lists and 3-digit numbers
-Therefore the study lacks ecological validity as it cannot be applied to everyday life
Give an advantage of interference theory (Interference in everyday settings)
-Research to suggest interference takes place in everyday settings
-Baddely and Hitch investigated how interference affects everyday life in Rugby players
-They were asked to recall the names of the teams they had played during the season however some players missed games due to injuries
-If decay theory is accurate then all players should be able to recall a similar percentage of the games played because time alone should not make them forget
-Although if interference is correct then the players who played most should forget as they had more interference due to more new and old games
-Baddely and Hitch found that the interference theory is more accurate which shows that it affects everyday life
Give a disadvantage of interference theory (Some people are less affected by proactive interference than others)
-Evidence to suggest that some people are less affected by proactive interference than others
-Kane and Engel (2000) demonstrated that individuals with greater working memory span were less likely to experience proactive interference
-People with low working memory showed greater proactive interference when recalling the 2nd + 3rd word lists in comparison to people with greater WM
-People with greater working WM have better resources to control processing and counteract the effects of interference consciously
-Emphasises the role that individual differences play in how people are affected by interference
What type of memory is interference theory an explanation for forgetting?
LTM
