Interference

Question 1

What is Interference?

Answer 1

When one memory disrupts another similar memory, causing the overlapping and forgetting of one or both

Question 2

What are the 2 types of Interference?

Answer 2

• Proactive Interference
• Retroactive Interference

Question 3

What is Proactive Interference?

Answer 3

When an older memory disrupts the remembering of a newer one

Question 4

What is Retroactive Interference?

Answer 4

When a newer memory disrupts the remembering of an older one

Question 5

Describe the findings of Baddeley & Hitch’s Rugby Player Experiment

Answer 5

The more games the rugby player had played that season, the less details they were able to recall, as they had more similar memories that could potentially interfere with one another

Question 6

Describe McGeoch & McDonald’s Word List Experiment

Answer 6

Participants were instructed to learn 2 word lists of varying degrees of similarity across 6 conditions. When asked to recall the original list, those that had learnt the most similar lists produced the worst recall.

Question 7

Describe Coenen & Van Luijtelaar’s Retrograde Facilitation Study

Answer 7

• Administered diazepam to participants- a drug that prevents the disrupting of previously stored information by new information
• Participants were instructed to learn a word list
• There were 2 Conditions: in Condition 1 the participants were administered diazepam before learning the word list, whilst in Condition 2 they were administered it after learning the word list

Question 8

In which Condition was recall better in Coenen & Van Luijtelaar’s Retrograde Facilitation Study?

Answer 8

When participants were administered diazepam before learning the word lists, as it reduced interference, and thus forgetting

Question 9

Why has Interference Theory been criticised? (2 Examples)

Answer 9

• It’s unusual in everyday scenarios, as its uncommon for two memories to be similar enough for it to occur
• It can be overcome using cues, which isn’t predicted by the theory

Question 10

Why have some studies supporting Interference Theory been criticised?

Answer 10

For their use of artificial materials and situations (e.g. McGeoch & McDonald’s), meaning they lack mundane realism and are low in ecological validity

Question 11

What are the two explanations for forgetting?

Answer 11

• Interference Theory
• Retrieval Failure

Question 12

What does diazepam do?

Answer 12

It prevents the disrupting of previously stored (old) information by new information