EXPLANATIONS FOR FORGETTING: INTERFERENCE

• Interference: when 2 pieces of information disrupt each other 


  Forgetting occurs in LTM because we can’t get access to memories even though they are available.
• Proactive interference (PI) - old interferes with new 


  PI occurs when an older memory disrupts a newer one. 

  For example, a teacher learns many names in the past and can’t remember names of her current class.
• Retroactive interference (RI) - new interferes with old

  RI happens whn a newer memory dirsupts an older one.

  For example, a teacher learns many new names this year and can’t remember the names of her previous students. 
• Interference is worse when memories are similar

  This may because:

  • In PI previously stored information makes new information more difficult to store. 
  • In RI new information overwrites previous memories which are similar.