Interference

• What is the definition of interference theory in memory?

  Two memories conflict, leading to forgetting
• What happens when two memories conflict according to interference theory?

  It leads to forgetting or distortion in LTM
• Give an example of interference in memory.

  Rearranging items disrupts recall of locations
• What is proactive interference?

  Old memory affects new memory
• How does proactive interference manifest in everyday situations?

  Struggles recalling new students’ names
• What is retroactive interference?

  New memory affects old memory
• How does retroactive interference manifest in everyday situations?

  Forgetting old students' names due to new ones
• What did McGeoch & McDonald (1931) study?

  The effects of similarity on memory interference
• What was the procedure in McGeoch & McDonald's study?

  Participants learned a 10-word list and a second list
• What were the categories of the second list in McGeoch & McDonald's study?

  Synonyms, antonyms, unrelated adjectives, nonsense syllables
• What did McGeoch & McDonald conclude about similarity?

  Similarity exacerbates interference in memory
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of interference theory?

  Strengths:

  • Supported by multiple studies
  • Lab experiments increase validity

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Uses artificial materials
  • Limited real-world relevance
• What is a strength of interference theory related to evidence?

  Multiple studies consistently demonstrate interference
• How do lab experiments support interference theory?

  They control extraneous variables, increasing validity
• What is a limitation of the materials used in interference theory studies?

  Lab tasks lack real-world relevance
• What real-life evidence supports interference theory?

  Baddeley & Hitch's study on rugby players
• How did Baddeley & Hitch demonstrate real-life interference?

  Rugby players’ recall influenced by games played
• What is a limitation of interference theory's scope?

  It focuses only on forgetting similar material
• What did Tulving & Psotka (1971) demonstrate about retrieval cues?

  Retrieval cues can restore recall of learned material
• What does Eysenck (2010) suggest about forgetting in LTM?

  Retrieval failure is the main reason for forgetting