explanations of forgetting: interference

Cards (12)

  • what is interference 

    forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be forgotten or distorted
  • what is proactive interference
    when the old memory interferes with the new
  • what is retroactive interference
    when the new memory interferes with the old one
  • acronym to remember interference
    PORN
  • what are similarity effects
    degree of forgetting memories because they have similar meanings
  • what is the procedure of retroactive interference of mcgeoch and mcdonald 1931
    changed the amount of similarity between two sets of materials. ppts had to learn 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy, then learnt a new list.
  • what were the three groups
    group 1 - synonyms
    group 2 - antonyms
    group 3- words unrelated to the original ones
    group 4- nonsense syllables
    group 5 - 3 digit number
    group 6 - no new list, ppts just rested
  • what were the findings of mcgeoch and mcdonald
    newer learning distrupts older learning, supporting retroactive interference.
    most similar material produced the least accurate recall
  • strength of interference of forgetting
    evidence from lab studies
  • limitation of interference theory of forgetting
    uses artificial materials
  • strength of interference of forgetting
    real life studies support this
  • limitation of interference of forgetting
    effects may be overcome by using cues