Explanations for Forgetting: Interference

Question 1

What is the interference theory of forgetting?

Answer 1

Forgetting occurs when two memories compete and interfere with each other, making it hard to recall one or both—especially when memories are similar.

Question 2

What is proactive interference?

Answer 2

Older memories disrupt the recall of newer ones (e.g., calling your new partner by your ex’s name).

Question 3

What is retroactive interference?

Answer 3

Newer memories disrupt the recall of older ones (e.g., learning a new phone number makes it harder to remember the old one).

Question 4

What did McGeoch & McDonald (1931) study and find?

Answer 4

They studied the effects of similarity on interference. Most interference occurred when the second list was most similar to the first (e.g., synonyms), and less interference occurred with dissimilar items (e.g., numbers).

Question 5

How do lab studies support interference theory?

Answer 5

Controlled experiments (e.g., McGeoch & McDonald) provide reliable evidence for interference, strengthening the theory’s consistency.

Question 6

What is a limitation of lab-based studies on interference?

Answer 6

They often use artificial tasks like word lists, lacking ecological validity and making it hard to generalize findings to real-life memory use.

Question 7

What real-world evidence supports interference theory?

Answer 7

Baddeley & Hitch (1977) found rugby players who played more matches had poorer recall of earlier games, showing real-life retroactive interference.

Question 8

How can cues affect interference?

Answer 8

Tulving & Psotka (1971) found that giving cues helped recall ‘forgotten’ information, suggesting interference effects can be overcome and may involve retrieval failure.