Interference A01

• Forgetting


  Takes place because of interference
• Interference

  When two pieces of information conflict with each other , resulting in forgetting of one or both or in some distortion of memory
• Long term memory

  Interference proposed mainly as an explanation for forgetting in LTM. When memories reach LTM, it is permanent. Thus, forgetting LTM is more likely because we can't access them even though they are available
• Proactive interference

  Older memories make it more difficult to remember new information
• Retroactive interference

  New information interferes with old information
• McGeoch and McDonald

  Discovered that interference is worse when the memories are similar
• Procedure of McGeoch and McDonald experiment

  Studies retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials. Participants had to learn 10 words until they could remember with 100% accuracy
• Lists


  Then the ppts learned a new list. There were six groups of ppts who had to learn different types of lists
• Groups G1-G3

  G1= Synonyms- words with same meanings as originals G2=Antonyms- word with the opposite meanings to the originals G3=Words unrelated to the original ones
• Groups G4-G6

  G4=Consonant syllables G5=Three-digit number numbersG6=No new list-these ppts just rested
• Findings

  When the ppts recalled the original list of words, their performance depended on the nature of the second list. The most similar material (synonyms) produced the worst recall. Thus, interference is strongest when the memories are similar