discuss interference

• introduction

  • one memory interferes with ability to recall another
  • proactive and retroactive interference
  • information competes for attention during encoding or retrieval
• A01

  • Proactive - old information interferes with recall of new information
  • old memories block new memories during encoding or retrieval
  • Retroactive - new information disrupts ability to recall old information
  • newly acquired memories interfere with retrieval of older memories
  • McGeoch & McDonald
  • more similar the lists, greater interference and poorer recall of first list
• A03

  • research support
  • mcgeoch & mcdonald found similarity increases interference, high validity
  • lack of ecological validity
  • lab studies with artificial tasks mean limited real-world applicability
  • individual differences
  • older adults experience more interference so limited comprehensiveness as ignores cognitive factors