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?