Interference

• Proactive interference - old information interferes with new information
• Retroactive interference - New information interferes with old information
• Interference - occurs when two pieces of information conflict with each other, resulting in forgetting one, both or some distortion of memory
• A strength of the explanation for forgetting -interference is there's lots of research support such as lab experiments. For example, McGeoth and Mcdonald's research on the facing page. Most of these studies show both types of interference are likely to be common ways we forget information from LTM. This is a strength because lab experiments control the effects of irrelevant influences and thus gives us confidence that interference is a valid explanation for at least some forgetting.