2.4.1 Interference Theory

• What is the core idea of Interference Theory in memory?

  Forgetting due to interference
• In proactive interference, old information interferes with the recall of new information.
• Retroactive interference occurs when new information interferes with old information.
• Match the type of interference with its direction:

  Proactive Interference ↔️ Old -> New

  Retroactive Interference ↔️ New -> Old
• Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with the recall of newly learned information.
• What does the term 'proactively interfering' mean in the context of memory?

  Old info blocks new info
• How does proactive interference differ from retroactive interference in terms of direction?

  Old -> New vs New -> Old
• Proactive interference makes it difficult to retrieve new information because older memories compete with newer ones.
• What is the main effect of retroactive interference on memory?

  New info replaces old info
• Baddeley's (1966) study showed that learning a second list of words led to poorer recall of the first list due to retroactive interference.
• Steps in Baddeley's (1966) study demonstrating retroactive interference

  1️⃣ Participants learn a list of words

  2️⃣ Participants learn a second list of words

  3️⃣ Participants attempt to recall the first list

  4️⃣ Poorer recall of the first list is observed
• Baddeley's (1966) study showed that participants who learned a second list of words had poorer recall of the first list due to retroactive interference.
• What type of interference was demonstrated in Baddeley's (1966) study?

  Retroactive Interference
• McGeoch & McDonald (1931) found that recall of original material decreased as similarity to interpolated material increased.
• Interference Theory proposes that forgetting occurs due to competition between memories.
• What are the two types of interference proposed by Interference Theory?

  Proactive and Retroactive
• Proactive interference occurs when old information interferes with new information.
• Retroactive interference occurs when new information interferes with old information.
• What is the direction of interference in proactive interference?

  Old -> New
• Match the type of interference with its description:

  Proactive Interference ↔️ Old info interferes with new

  Retroactive Interference ↔️ New info interferes with old
• Proactive interference occurs because older memories compete with newer ones.
• Proactive interference is illustrated when using an old parking space makes it difficult to remember the new one.
• Retroactive interference occurs when newer memories disrupt and replace older ones.
• What example illustrates retroactive interference?

  Learning a new phone number
• Interference Theory is supported by studies demonstrating the impact of interference on memory.
• Interference Theory is criticized for being less applicable to real-life situations.
• Match the strength or weakness of Interference Theory with its description:

  Research support ↔️ Evidence from studies like Baddeley's

  Limited applicability ↔️ Less relevance to everyday forgetting
• What type of forgetting does Interference Theory primarily explain?

  Laboratory-based forgetting