explainations for forgetting: interferance

interference meaning

when 2 pieces of similar info conflict with or disrupt eo, resulting in forgetting or distorted recall from the LTM

• its still stored in the LTM but is temporarily inaccessible

proactive interference

• when an older memory disrupts the recall of a newer memory

retroactive interference

• when a newer memory disrupts the recall of an older memory

McGeoch and McDonald (1931)

• investigate how the similarity of material affects retroactive interference

• Ps learnt a list of 10 words until remember them with 100% accuracy

• given an interpolated list to learn which varied in similarity:

• grp 1 = synonyms

• grp 2 = antonyms

• grp 3 = unrelated words

• grp 4 = nonsense syllables

• grp 5 = 3 digit numbers

• grp 6 = no list

• Ps were asked to recall

• synonyms = worst recall rates

• unrelated or nonsense = least disruption

• interference is strongest when the memories are most similar

list study strength

• high internal validity = controlled variables in lab experiments

• real world applications = ?.?.??

list study limitations

• lacks mundane realism = used artificial tasks dont reflect everyday memory use

• temporary accessibility vs actual deletion = interference might js make memories harder to access not forget them perm

baddeley and hitch = rugby (1977)

• investigate whether interference is a better explanation for forgetting memories than decay

• rugby players were asked to try and recall as many names of the teams theyd played against as possible

• players who played most amount of matches forgot more team names

• showed that accurate recall did not depend on time passed since matches

• recall depended on number of games played

rugby study strength

• high ecological validity = investigated real world memory in a natural setting making the findings much more representative of how memory operates in evd lives

• support interference theory = strong evidence that forgetting in LTM is by interference rather than decay

rugby list limitations

• limited generalisability = rugby players recalling sports match could be a v specific type of memory task.

• extraneous variables = tracks real sports schedules so less control over external factors like some players mights have discussed certain matches more than others outside of the study)