forget interference

• what is interference


  -when 2 pieces of info disrupt each other, resulting in forgetting of 1 or both

  -mainly proposed for forgetting in ltm

  -once info has reached ltm it is permanent so forgetting in ltm is bc we cant get access to them even tho they are available
• what are the 2 types of interference

  -proactive: occurs when an older memory interferes with a newer one

  -retroactive: when a newer memory interferes with an older one
• when is interference the worst and describe procedure

  -worst when memories are similar

  -mcgeogh and mcdonald studied retroactive interference by changing amounts of similarity between 2 sets of materials

  -participants had to learn a list of words with 100% accuracy

  -then they learned a new list

  -there were 6 groups of participants who had to learn dif types of new lists
• describe findings for research on effects of similarity

  when participants were asked to recall original list of words the most similar material produced worst recall

  this shows tht interference is strongest when memories r similar