Interference - explanation for forgetting

• what are the explanations for forgetting?

  interference and retrieval failure
• interference: when one memory disrupts the ability to recall another. it is more likely to occur when the memories are similar.
• proactive interference: when the old memory affects learning a new memory (eg learning a new phone number after replacing an old one.)
• retroactive interference: when attempting to learn something new affects an old memory of learning (eg driving on the wrong side of the road at home after driving on a different side in another country)
• what is an example of a study on interference taking place in the real world?

  Baddeley and Hitch‘s rugby tournament. decay theory.
• what is paired associate testing?


  a memory test using word pairs. list A acts as a cue (similarity) between word pairings, list b is learned first and list c is learned second. recalling list c is proactive and recalling list b is retroactive
• Strength of interference as a form of forgetting

  It is ecologically valid and has mundane realism. Baddeley and hitch’s study in the rugby tournament showed decay theory and took place in a natural setting. Thus it can be generalised to the population.
• weakness of interference as a form of forgetting

  It does not take individual differences into account as some people may be more affected by interference than others therefore the results cannot be generalised as not everyone is the same. Greater working memory span counteracts effects of proactive interference.