Memory L5: Interference Explanation for forgetting

• What is interference in memory?

  Disruption of information leading to forgetting
• What does interference explain in terms of memory?

  It explains forgetting in long-term memory
• What is proactive interference?

  Older memory interferes with newer memory
• What is retroactive interference?

  Newer memory interferes with older memory
• Who conducted research on retroactive interference in 1931?

  McGeoch and McDonald
• What was the procedure in McGeoch and McDonald's study?

  • 6 groups of participants
  • Learn a list of 10 words to 100% accuracy
  • Each group learns a new, related list
  • Different types of new lists: synonyms, antonyms, unrelated words, consonant syllables, 3-digit numbers, control group
• What was the finding regarding recall of synonyms in McGeoch and McDonald's study?

  Synonyms produced the worst recall
• What does the finding about synonyms suggest about interference?

  Interference is strongest with similar memories
• What evidence supports interference effects in everyday situations?

  • Baddeley and Hitch (1977) study
  • Rugby players recalling team names
  • Players with more games had poorer recall
  • Suggests interference occurs in real-world contexts
• What is a counterpoint to the interference theory regarding its occurrence?

  Interference conditions are rare in real life
• What does the low external validity of lab studies suggest?

  Most forgetting may be explained by other theories
• How can interference be overcome according to research?

  • Use of cues can help recall
  • Tulving and Psotka (1971) study
  • Recall improved with cued recall test
  • Interference causes temporary loss of accessibility
• What did Coenen and Van Luijtelaar's study on drug effects reveal?

  • Participants learned words under diazepam
  • Recall was poorer than control group
  • Learning before drug improved recall
  • Suggests drugs can prevent interference
• What does Wixted (2004) suggest about drugs and memory interference?

  Drugs prevent new information from interfering
• What causal relationship is suggested by the findings on interference and forgetting?

  Reducing interference can reduce forgetting