Explanations Of Forgetting - Interference Theory Flashcards
What are the three AO3 points to evaluate interference theory as an explanation of forgetting?
RTS by McGeoch and McDonald
Discussion - high in reliability
Weakness - lacks mundane realism
P
(RTS by McGeoch and McDonald)
RTS by McGeoch and McDonald
E
- they gave ppts a 10 word list A to learn until they could remember them with 100% accuracy
- they then gave ppts a 10 word list B (interference)
- ppts then had to recall list A
E
- it was found that if list B had similar meaning words to list A, recall was poor
- however, if list Bs words were diff to list A, recall was higher
L
therefore this supports bc it shows interference has more of an effect when items are similar, which is what theory suggests
P
(Discussion - high in reliability)
strength - much of the research - such as Mcgeochs RTS - high in reliability
E
- this is bc it was conducted in a controlled, lab setting so it can be repeated in the same conditions
- e.g. same amount of time for ppts to learn lists, to gain consistent results into effects of interference on forgetting
E
Interference is one of the most common demonstrated findings in the whole of psyc, with most studies showing both types of interference are common ways we forget info in LTM
L
therefore, this strengthens the support research provides for interference theory as an exp of forgetting
P
(lacks mundane realism)
However, critics would argue that there is more chance of interference demonstrated in research studies than in rl situations as research lacks mundane realism
E
- this is bc artficial tasks such as learning lists of words are often used
- this means it is difficult to gen findings to rl examples of forgetting
E
- as research doesnt reflect what we would try to remember in everyday life e.g. birthdays
- maybe these memories are less likely to be affected by interference as theyre more meaningful to us
L
Therefore, limiting the support the research provides for interference as an exp for forgetting
