interference

• what does the interference theory suggest?

  information in LTM conflicts with each other which causes distortion
• what are the 2 types of interference?

  1. proactive
  2. retroactive
• outline proactive interference

  older memory interferes with a newer memory
• give an example of proactive interference

  calling a new partner by your old partner's name
• explain retroactive interference

  newer memory interferes with an older one
• provide an example of retroactive interference

  learning a list of words, then a second list, struggle to recall the first list
• who studied interference?

  McGeoch and McDonald in 1931
• outline the findings of McGeoch and McDonald's study

  recall of the first list was worse when the second set of information was more similar
• evaluate the interference theory of forgetting

  • supported by lab studies, e.g. McGeoch and McDonald, providing validity of the explanation

  
  

  • Baddeley & Hitch found when rugby players recalled names of teams, it became more difficult if they played more games, interference is a better explanation than time

  
  

  • supporting evidence is from artificial tasks, learning word lists, not reflective of memory