Explanations for forgetting: interference

What is interference

When two pieces of information disrupt each other

Where and when does forgetting occur

In the LTM because we can't access available memories

What is proactive interference

Old interferes with new

Retroactive interference

New interferes with old

Interference is worse when memories are similar because

In PI previously stored information makes new information more difficult to store

In RI new information overwrites previous memories which are similar

Who studied interference

McGeoch and McDonald 1931

Procedure

Participants asked to learn a list of words to 100% accuracy

They were given a new list to learn

Synonyms

Antonyms

Unrelated

Consonant syllables

Three digit numbers

No new list

Findings

Performance depend on the second list

Most similar material (synonyms) produced worst recall

This shows interference is strongst when the memories are similar

One strength is support in real life situations

Beddeley and hitch

Asked rugby payers to recall names of teams they have played against during a season

Players didn't play the same number of games

Those who played most ( more interference ) had poorest recall

Shows that interference operates in everyday situations increasing validity

One limitation is that interference effects may be overcome by using cues

Tulving and Psotka gave participants list of words organised into categories

Recall of first list was 70% and dropped with each new list

When given a cue recall rose again to 70%

Shows interference causes a temporary loss of access to material still in LTM which wasn't predicted by the theory