Interference theory of forgetting

What are the two theories of forgetting?

Interference and retrieval failure

Interference theory

The theory explains that forgetting is because memories become mixed up and confused with other memories, especially if similar

proactive interference

Where old information interferes with new information

Retroactive interference

Where new information interferes with old information

Evidence: McGeoch and Mcdonald

Aim: To investigate if interference affects recall

Procedure: They studied retroactive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials. Participants had to learn a list of 10 words until they could remember them with 100% accuracy.

Evidence: McGeoh and Mcdonald 2

They then learned a new list. There were 6 groups of participants who had to learn different types of lists. When participants called the original list of words their performance depended on the nature of the second listed. The synonyms produced the worst recall. This shows that interference is strongest when memories are similar

Evidence: McGeoh and Mcdonald conclusion

This gives evidence for retro-active interference as the new learning interferes with the old learning and the more similar the lists are the more interference

Evidence disadvantage: Artificial materials

There is a much greater chance that interference will be demonstrated in the lab than in real life situations. The stimulus materials lack mundane realism as they are not something we would learn in everyday life

Different groups

synonyms, antonyms, words unrelated to original ones, nonsense syllables, 3 digit numbers and no new list.

Evaluation advantage: Real life studies

Baddeley and Hitch carried out a real life study looking at interference. They asked rugby players to remember the names or teams that they had played against in that current season. Most of the players would have also missed games.

Real life studies findings

Accurate recall did not depend on how long ago the matches were, but on the number of games played in the meantime. A players recall of a team they played three weeks ago was better if they hadn't played anyone since. This shows the influence of interference in everyday life.3x

Evaluation advantage: Interference can be overcome using cues

Tulving and psotka gave participants five lists of 24 words organised into six categories. They found that recall was around 70% for the first word list, but then fell when as they were given additional words.

Interference 2

At the end, they were given a cued recall test. It was found that recall rose again to around 70% when a cue was given. Therfore showing interference can be overcome using cues