explanations for forgetting

what are the 2 theories for forgetting

• interference theory

• retrieval failure

define proactive interference

• old info hinders recall of new info

define retroactive interference

• new info hinders recall of old info

define interference

• one memory disturbs ability to access another

  • forgetting, distorting, or both

  • more likely when 2 memories are similar

mcgeoch and mcdonald 1931 - retroactive interference

• 6 groups got a list of 10 words to remember with 100% accuracy

• 5 groups were then given another list

  • some groups had lists similar to the first set

• one group was told to rest

• recall of words was poorer when the words were more similar

  • interference is stronger when memories are similar

evaluate mcgeoch and mcdonald

• strengths

  • high control

    • lab setting

  • helps to explain why its hard to learn another language

    • one is already learnt so it’s hard to learn another

• limitations

  • lab setting

    • artificial task

    • low ecological validity

baddeley and hitch 1977

• rugby players were asked to recall names of teams they had previously played over one season

• players who played more games had the worst recall

• more recent games interfered with recall of earlier games

  • interference had occurred and prevented recall

evaluate baddeley and hitch

• strengths

  • proves that interference does happen in real life situations

    • real world application

• limitations

  • lacked control

    • field experiment makes it hard to control extraneous variables

evaluate interference

• strengths

  • baddeley and hitch

  • mcgeoch and mcdonald

  • coenen et al 1997 did a drug study and got people to take valium after learning a list of words

    • found it improved recall

    • drug stopped new info reaching parts of the brain involved in processing memories

    • prevented retroactive interference

• limitations

  • baddeley and hitch

  • mcgeoch and mcdonald

  • tulving and psotka 1971 proved that interference can be temporary as cues can help us recall forgotten info