explanations for forgetting: interference

Question 1

how does interference link to forgetting

Answer 1

we tend to forget when two memories get confused with or become mixed up with each other

Question 2

what is proactive interference

Answer 2

when old memories affect the recall of new memories

Question 3

what is retro-active interference

Answer 3

when new memories affect the recall of old memories

Question 4

support for interference

Answer 4

• McGeogh and McDonald - Ps learned original list with 100% accuracy then had to learn a new list, 6 groups each with a different new list (1 control), forgetting was worst in synonym group/most similar - shows that interference is greater when recalling similar information
• Baddeley and Hitch - rugby players, found amount of time passed wasn’t a factor in ability to recall, number of games they had played affected their memory

Question 5

weaknesses of interference

Answer 5

• artificial tasks lack ecological validity
• can be overcome using cues therefore means the explanation is reductionist