Explanations Of Forgetting: Interference Flashcards
(10 cards)
Define interference
Forgetting bcs one memory blocks another causing one or both of the memories to become distorted or forgotten
Define proactive interference and when is forgetting greater
Forgetting occurs when older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar
Define retroactive interference and when is the degree of forgetting greater
Forgetting occurs when newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored. The degree of forgetting is greater when the memories are similar
What research supports retroactive interference
Postman
Describe postman’s experiment
Lab exp and pps split in two groups
Group a : learnt 2 word lists with different word pairs (e.g list one cat-tree and list two cat-glass)
Group b: only asked to learn first word lists of word pairs
What were the results of postman’s experiment
Group b recall of the first list was more accurate than the recall of group a
Showing at learning items from the second list interfered with the pps ability to recall the first list
Evaluate postman’s experiment
+ : lab exp so controls and replicable, also more reliable results
- : lacks ecological validity, demand characteristics which reduce internal validity, lacks mundane realism so lacks external validity
What did mcgeoch and McDonald research
Effects of similarly in retroactive interference
What was the procedure for effects of similarly by mcgeoch and McDonald
Pps had to learn a set of 10 words until they could remember with 100% accuracy and then learnt a new list
6 groups of pps had to learn diff types of lists e.g synonyms and antonyms
What were the results of mcgeoch and McDonald’s study
The most similar materials (synonyms) produced the worst recall
Showing that interference is stronger when memories are similar
