Memory - Interference

Question 1

What is interference?

Answer 1

When two memories compete with each other
Especially if the two memories are similar
Reduces accuracy of what we remember
(Eg- passwords)

Question 2

What’s the aim of McGeoch & McDonalds study?

Answer 2

To investigate the effect of doing a second activity after learning a list of words has on the accuracy of memory (the recall of the og list)

Question 3

What’s the method of McGeoch & McDonalds study?

Answer 3

12 participants learnt a list of 10 words until they had 100% accurate recall
Then they were shown a new list - there were 5 different kinds of lists
(synonyms, antonyms, unrelated words, nonsense syllables & 3 digit no’s)
The control group had no new lists & the other groups did counterbalancing

Question 4

What’s the results of McGeoch & McDonalds study?

Answer 4

Worst recall with synonyms to og list.
Best recall with no new list.
Recall gets better as it goes down the list.

Question 5

What’s the conclusions of McGeoch & McDonalds study?

Answer 5

Interference is strongest when an intervening activity is similar.
Forgetting is more likely to happen if you try to do something similar after.
Supports theory of interference

Question 6

What’s it called when OLDER memories disrupt recall of newer ones so forgetting occurs?

Answer 6

Proactive interference

Question 7

What’s it called when NEWER memories disrupt recall of older ones so forgetting occurs?

Answer 7

Retroactive interference

Question 8

Explain a strength of the theory of interference (controlled research)

Answer 8

• Researchers in this study used a no. of techniques to reduce bias
• used counterbalancing
• theory has validity as it’s supported by sound research

Question 9

Explain a weakness of the theory of interference (artificial task)

Answer 9

• in this study interference was tested using word lists (not reflect real life memory activity)
• we don’t often have to remember lists of words or similar things
• only tells us about one aspect of memory (when two things are similar)
• interference as an explanation for the accuracy of memory is therefore limited to some very specific conditions

Question 10

Explain a weakness of the theory of interference (explanation of forgetting)

Answer 10

• interference may not be an explanation of forgetting
• it’s possible interference effects are temporary & info isn’t forgotten
• If thy have a cue, they recall many of the items they apparently forgot (Tulving & Psotka 1971)
• shows info is stored but not accessible