Postman (1960) group A vs B word pair list

• Postman (1960): 'Retroactive interference (new affects old word pairs)'
• Aim of the study was to investigate the phenomenon of retroactive interference; how recently received info. affects earlier learning
• Procedure

  1. Independent measures design used to divide pps into groups

  2. Group A (Experimental Group) asked to learn a list of word pairs

  3. Group B (Control Group) asked to learn 1st list only

  4. Both groups were then tested on their recall of the 1st list
• Findings

  • Group A’s recall of 1st list
  • Group B’s recall of 1st list
• Group B recalled 1st list better than group A
• Group A’s learning of 2nd list

  Interfered with their ability to recall first list
• Retroactive interference can lead to forgetting