Explanations of forgetting; Interference

• INTERFERENCE= forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten.

  • when 2 pieces of information conflict with each other
  • explanation for forgetting in the LTM
• TYPES OF INTERFERENCE

  1. PROACTIVE INTERFERENCE= old memory interferes with the recall of the newer memory, the newer memory is forgotten.
  2. RETROACTIVE INTERFERENCE= new memory interferes with the recall of the older memory, the older memory is forgotten
• Who conducted the study on retroactive interference in 1931?

  McGeoch and McDonald
• What was the main focus of McGeoch and McDonald's study?

  To study retroactive interference
• How did the researchers manipulate the similarity between the two sets of material?

  By changing the type of words learned
• How many words did participants have to learn in the first list?

  10 words
• What did participants do after learning the first list of words?

  They learned a new list of words
• What were the six groups in the study?

  1. Synonyms
  2. Antonyms
  3. Unrelated words
  4. Nonsense syllables
  5. Three-digit numbers
  6. No new list (rested)
• Which group produced the least accurate recall?

  Synonyms
• Which group had the least effect on recall?

  Three-digit numbers