MEMORY - explanations for forgetting : interference

Question 1

what is interference?

Answer 1

forgetting because some pieces of information which conflict with each other, resulting in one or both or distorting memory. We forget it because we cant access those memories.

Question 2

what are the two types of interference?

Answer 2

proactive and retroactive

Question 3

what is proactive interference?

Answer 3

Forgetting occurs when an older memory interferes with a newer one.

Question 4

What is retroactive interference?

Answer 4

Forgetting happens when a new memory interferes with an older one.

Question 5

Who research the effects of similarity on memory?

Answer 5

McGeoch + McDonald (1931)

Question 6

outline McGeoch and McDonalds research?

Answer 6

• studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two materials
• Ps learned list of words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy.
• ps then learned another list
• there were 6 groups of Ps

G1 - synonyms
G2- antonyms
G3 - words unrelated to original
G4 - nonsense syllables
G5 - 3 digit numbers
G6 - no new lsit/ relax

Question 7

what were the findings of McGeoch and McDonalds research?

Answer 7

The most similar material (synonyms) produced the worst recall

Question 8

explain the effects of similarity?

Answer 8

Interference is the strongest when memories are similar.
Similarity may affect recall due to PI or RI.

Question 9

what is PI?

Answer 9

Previously stored information makes new similar information more difficult to store.

Question 10

what is RI?

Answer 10

New information overwrites previous similar memories because of the similarity.

Question 11

give STRENGTHS of interference for explaining forgetting

Answer 11

+ evidence of interference effects in real world situations.
eg Baddeley and Hitch (1977) asked rugby players to recall the names of teams they had played against = players who played the most games had the poorest recall.
Therefore interference can operate in some real-world situations= increasing validity

+ evidence from drug studies = retrograde facilitation.
eg Coenen and Luijtellar gave participants a list of words assuming the intervening experiences would act as interference. They found that under the influence of a drug diazepam recall one week later was poor. However before the drug was taken, Recall was better.
Therefore forgetting can be due to interference.

Question 12

give LIMITATIONS of interference for explaining forgetting.

Answer 12

• the conditions necessary for interference to occur relatively rare. E.g memory has to be similar in order to interfere with each other.
• interference is temporary and can be overcome by using cues (hints). Participants were given a list of words organised into categories. recall became progressively worse, as they learnt each additional list. When participants were given a cued recall test they were told the names of the categories and the recall rose again to 70%.

-Studies use artificial materials and unrealistic procedures.