forgetting- interference

• What is interference in memory recall?

  When one memory blocks another
• What are the two types of interference?

  Retroactive and proactive interference
• What did McGeoch and McDonald (1931) study?

  Retroactive interference with word lists
• How did McGeoch and McDonald demonstrate retroactive interference?

  By comparing recall of different word lists
• What was the average decrease in correct items recalled for the synonyms group?

  3.1 fewer correct items
• What correlation exists between forgetting and similarity of memories?

  A positive correlation
• Why do interference studies have low mundane realism?

  They use artificial stimuli with no personal meaning
• What type of information do people usually learn in real life?

  Meaningful information with personal significance
• How does the use of lab experiments affect the validity of interference theory?

  It increases validity due to controlled conditions
• What did Baddeley and Hitch study in rugby players?

  Recall of games played that season
• What did Baddeley and Hitch find about memory recall?

  More recent games interfere with older games
• What is a methodological criticism of interference studies?

  They often use short recall times
• Why is the short recall time a limitation?

  It does not reflect everyday memory recall
• What does the short recall time suggest about interference theory?

  It may not be a valid explanation for forgetting