Interference

• Forgetting theories

  • LTM is permanent
• Forgetting due to interference 


  When we can’t get access even though the memories are available
• Interference

  When two pieces of information disrupt eachother
• Proactive interference

  When old information interferes with new information
• Retroactive information

  New information interrupting with old information
• McGeoch and Mcdonald (1931)

  1. Pttps had to lear a list of 10 words until they can remember it with 100% accuracy
  2. They then learnt a new list
• McGeoch and Mcdonald (1931)- results


  BEST

  1. Only 1 list
  2. 3 digits
  3. Consonant syllables
  4. Unrelated
  5. Antonyms
  6. Synonyms

  WORST
• McGeoch and Mcdonald (1931)- CONCLUSIONS 


  Interference is strongest when memories are similar
• Evaluation- Strength (bradelley and hitch)


  Bradelley and hitch provided real world experiments:

  • Asked rugby players to recall names of teams they last played
  • Some players played every match and some missed due to injury
  • Those who played every match had worse recall
• Evaltuation- Strength 


  Revising two similar subjects can increase interference
• Evaluation- Limitation


  Not a real world exampl- lab based experiments
• Evaluation- Limitation (Tulving 1971)


  Gave pttps a list of words organised into caragories

  • Recall 70% for the first list but became worse with each list
  • they could do it with cues- interference is temporary