Explanation For Forgetting: Interference Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is proactive interference?
When old information interferes with new learning
Likely to occur when memories are similar.
What is retroactive interference?
When new information interferes with old information
Can disrupt recall of previously learned information.
What is the main explanation for forgetting in the context of interference?
Memories can be overshadowed or disrupted by another memory
This is often observed in research settings.
Who conducted a study on rugby players related to retroactive interference?
Baddeley and Hitch (1977)
They found that players who missed games forgot more teams.
What did Baddeley and Hitch’s study support?
Retroactive interference
New information interfered with recall of old information.
What did Kane and Engle’s research indicate about individual differences in memory?
Some individuals are less affected by proactive interference
Higher span participants could recall better despite interference.
What was the method used by Kane and Engle to test memory interference?
Participants learned three word lists
The third list was impacted less by proactive interference in higher span participants.
What role does Anderson (2000) suggest for interference in forgetting?
Interference plays a role, but its significance is unclear
Works but requires similar memories to occur.
Baddley and Hitch (Supporting Evidence)
1) Rugby players who played every match
2) Players who missed some games due to injury
Asked recall names of team played that season
Found players who played all games forgot proportionately more names of teams
Supports idea of retroactive interference
Opposing evidence, individual differences
(Extra evaluation)
Kane and Engle
Some individuals less affected by proactive interference
Word lists and found people with low working memory spans showed greater proactive interference when recalling 2nd and 3rd list than higher span participants
Counteracts effects of PI
Limitation, research methods
Most research is lab based e.g. artificial lists
Lacks ecological validity
Findings may not relate to everyday use of memory
Interference
Where a memory is confused/ disrupted by another memory
Point and explanation why Baddelely and Hitch are supporting evidence for RI
P- interference theory can be applied
E- Shows application to education and revision. Because shows importance of spacing out revision because it reduces the likelihood of RI whereby newer information is less likely to make you forget old information.
Counter arguement for Baddely and Hitch
Argued this study is largely experimentally reductionist whereby evidence for interference is reduced to only factors from the study. Not accurate for other factors e.g. state
(use for retrieval failure, change wording to fit)
Limitation- issues with application, McGeoch and McDonald
Investigated if similar memories impact interference theory. Participants given list of words in a lab to recall.
Important because shows how research done in a lab and recall of random words is not representative of how we use memory in everyday life. Means it lacks ecological validity and we are unable to generalise results to how memory works for everyone.
Counter argument for McGeoch and McDonald
However, it can be argued that high control experiments give high levels of reliability helping us to see cause and effect, which offers the ability to make predictions, which makes theories easier to apply and help improve peoples lives e.g. dementia.
Limitation- Anderson, opposing evidence that forgetting solely comes from interference
Fond its unclear how much of an influence interference has on the role of forgetting.
Important because shows that the interference theory is reductionist because it does not consider other explanations for forgetting. Therefore, to be holistic, this theory should consider alternative explanations e.g. the impact of someone’s state/ context and how it also impacts forgetting.
Baddeley and Hitch (evidence, AO3)
Investigated the impact of interference on rugby players ability tom recall team names. Found players who played less games had better recall.
