Explanations for forgetting: interference

Interference:

Forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten

Proactive interference:

When old memories interfere with a new one. For example you are trying to remember your new phone number but all you can remember is your old one.

Retroactive interference:

When new memories interfere with old ones. For example you are trying to remember your old phone number but you can't because all you remember is your new one.

Effects of similarity:

McGeoch and McDonald (1931) pps had to learn a list of 10 words until they could recall it accurately, then learn another list. They found that the synonym list had the worst recall of the original list because similar memories interfere.

Artificial tasks

Recalling lists of words is not really applicable to real life. This means low ecological validity

Lab studies

Research into interference is done in a lab. They can control for extraneous and confounding variables

Can be overcome by cues

Tulving and Psotka (1971) found that when pps were given the categories if the words, recall rose to 70%. Showing that interference did happen but can be overcome by cues