Explanation for forgetting: Interference

Question 1

What is interference theory?

Answer 1

Forgetting occurs when memories compete and block each other.

Question 2

What is proactive interference?

Answer 2

Proactive = old memories interfere with new ones.

Question 3

What is retroactive interference?

Answer 3

Retroactive = new memories interfere with older ones.

Question 4

What increases the likelihood of interference?

Answer 4

Similarity between information increases interference.

Question 5

Who researched interference and how?

Answer 5

McGeoch & McDonald (1931)—participants learned a list, then new lists with varying
similarity.

Question 6

What did they find?

Answer 6

More similarity = more forgetting.

Question 7

AO3 - What supports interference theory?

Answer 7

(A) Lab evidence is strong and replicable. (B) Real-world support from rugby
studies (Baddeley & Hitch).
(C) Practical revision applications.

Question 8

AO3 - What are the real-world applications?

Answer 8

(A) Students should revise distinct topics to avoid overlap.
(B) Supports
spaced learning.
(C) Can inform teaching design.

Question 9

AO3 - What are criticisms of the theory?

Answer 9

(A) Lab tasks are artificial.
(B) Lack of motivation may exaggerate forgetting.
(C) Doesn’t explain forgetting without similar material.