EFF: Interference (+Ev) Flashcards
(16 cards)
What does Interference Theory suggest about forgetting?
Interference Theory suggests we forget because our long-term memories become confused or disturbed by other information during coding.
Define proactive interference.
Proactive interference occurs when old information disrupts new information.
Define retroactive interference.
Retroactive interference occurs when new information disrupts old information.
When is interference more likely to occur?
Interference is more likely to occur when two pieces of information are similar, leading to response competition.
When is interference less likely to occur?
Interference is less likely to occur when there is a larger gap between instances of learning (time sensitivity).
What is a weakness of interference theory based on lab studies?
Evaluation…
A weakness is that lab studies that test for interference tend to lack mundane realism.
Why do studies lack mundane realism?
This is because the stimulus materials and tasks used in most studies are artificial.
Describe the typical tasks used in these studies.
They tend to be word lists, which participants have to recall.
How does this lack of mundane realism affect the measure of LTM forgetting?
In our everyday lives, we generally do not use our memories in this way, so the tasks are not a realistic measure of LTM forgetting.
What is a strength of interference as an explanation for forgetting?
A strength of interference is support from lab studies, such as those conducted by McGeoch and McDonald.
What did these lab studies show?
These lab studies show that when participants learn two sets of similar information, recall for the first set is weakened.
What type of interference does this demonstrate?
This supports the idea that new memories interfere with older ones (retroactive interference).
What does the controlled nature of these experiments ensure?
The controlled nature of these experiments ensures that interference, rather than other factors, is responsible for forgetting, supporting the validity of interference as an explanation.
How is interference supported by real-life situations?
Interference theory is supported by real-life situations, such as forgetting passwords after creating new ones.
What evidence did Baddeley and Hitch find regarding rugby players?
Baddeley and Hitch found that rugby players who played more games forgot earlier matches due to interference from new game-related memories.
What does the rugby player study suggest about interference as a lab-based phenomenon?
This suggests that interference isn’t just a lab-based phenomenon but also explains forgetting in everyday life.
