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6 Cards in this Set
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Interference Theory: when 2 pieces of information are in conflict occuring in the LTM. |
PROACTIVE (PI): old memory interferes with new e.g. teacher learns many names in the past and can't remember names of her current class. RETROACTIVE (RI): new interferes with old e.g. teacher learns many names this year & can't remember names of her current students. Interfernce worse when memories similar: - PI previously stored information makes new information more difficult to store - RI new information overwrites similar previous memories |
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Key Study: McGeoch and McDonald (1931) Effects of Similarity |
PROCEDURE: participants asked to learn word list 100% accurately -G1: synonyms -G2: antonyms -G3: unrelated -G4: nonsense syllables -G5: 3-digit numbers -G6: no new list (control condition) FINDINGS: performance depended on 2nd list, most similar material (synonym) had worst recall CONCLUSIONS: interference strongest when memories are similar |
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A strength is lab studies consistently demonstrates interference in memory. |
MCGEOCH & MCDONALD: most lab studies show both types of interference are likely causes of forgetting from LTM. - lab studies control effects of extraneous variables THEREFORE, give us confidence interference is a valid explanation. |
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A strength is that real-life studies have supported the interference explanation. |
BADDELEY & HITCH: asked rugby players to recall names of teams they'd played week by week in that season. - accurate rceall didn't depend on how long ago match was THEREFORE, study shows interference explanations can apply to everyday. |
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A limitation of research is use of artificial materials. |
MCGEOCH & MCDONALD: stimulus was word lists e.g. in everyday we remember peoples faces, birthdays etc. THEREFORE: artificial materials useful in lab but not for applying to everyday life. |
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A limitation of research is times allowed between learning. |
MCGEOCH & MCDONALD: time periods between learning word list and recalling are short in lab studies. -doesn't reflect how we ;earn in real life THEREFORE, findings cannot be generalised outside of the lab. |
