Memory - Interference

Question 1

Proactive interference

Answer 1

Old information interferes with the new information (unable to remember new info)

Question 2

Retroactive interference

Answer 2

New information interferes with the old information (unable to remember old info)

Question 3

Interference theory study

Answer 3

McGeogh & McDonald (1931) - testing recall with 6 groups and having to learn 2 lists -> strongest interference found with words of a similar calibre than those that were dissimilar

Question 4

Strengths of interference

Answer 4

Real world evidence (Baddeley & Hitch 1977 - rugby team recalling names. some had missed games & those who had participated in the most had poorest results [ecological validity]
Support from drug studies (Coenen & Van Luijelaar 1997 - diazepam influencing recall of a list of words as learning before taking it prevented interference)

Question 5

Limitations of interference

Answer 5

Real world evidence [however point] (lab studies with higher degree of control - doesn’t happen often in everyday life)
Temporary & overcome by cues (Tulving and Psotka 1971 - recall of categorised lists was 70% but became worse with more lists [proactive] however at the end of the procedure they were given cues to recall which was also 70% -> temporary loss of accessibility to material in LTM [not predicted by interference theory])