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Interference Theory

Interference theory postulates that forgetting occurs due to interference between memories. There are two types of interference: retroactive interference, where new information interferes with recall of older memories, and proactive interference, where existing memories interfere with recall of new information. An experiment in 1960 demonstrated retroactive interference - participants who learned a second word list had more difficulty recalling words from an initial list compared to those who did not learn the second list. Interference theory explains that forgetting occurs because recall of certain memories interferes with recall of other related memories.

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101 views

Interference Theory

Interference theory postulates that forgetting occurs due to interference between memories. There are two types of interference: retroactive interference, where new information interferes with recall of older memories, and proactive interference, where existing memories interfere with recall of new information. An experiment in 1960 demonstrated retroactive interference - participants who learned a second word list had more difficulty recalling words from an initial list compared to those who did not learn the second list. Interference theory explains that forgetting occurs because recall of certain memories interferes with recall of other related memories.

Uploaded by

MJ JOYCE
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Interference theory

Interference theory postulates that we forget memories due to other


memories interfering with our recall. Interference can be either,

 Retroactive interference
New information can interfere with older memories.

 Proactive interference
Whilst information we already know can affect our
ability to memorize new information.
Both types of interference are more likely to occur when to memories
are semantically related, as demonstrated in a 1960 experiment in which
two groups of participants were given a list of word pair to remember, so
that they could recall the second ‘response’ word when given the first as
a stimulus. A second group was also given to learn, but afterwards was
asked to memorize a second list of word pairs. When both groups asked
to recall the words from the first list, those who had just learnt that list
were able to recall more words than the group that had learnt a second
list (Underwood & Postman, 1960). This supported the concept of
retroactive interference, the second list impacted upon memories of
words from the first list.
Interference also works in the opposite direction existing memories
sometimes inhibit our ability to memorize new information. This might
occur when you receive a work schedule, for instance. When you are
given a new schedule a few months later, you may find yourself
adhering to the original times. The schedule that you already knew
interferes with your memory of the new schedule.
Interference theory refers to the view that forgetting occurs because
recall of certain words interferes with recall of other words.

 Retroactive interference
It occurs when newly acquired knowledge impedes the recall of older
material. (New information inhibits the ability to remember old
information)

 Proactive interference
It occurs when material that was learned in the past impedes the learning
of new material. (Old information inhibits the ability to remember new
information)

 Serial-position curve
It represents the probability of recall of a given word, given its serial
position (order of presentation) in a list.

 Recency effect
It refers to superior recall of words at and near the end of a list.

 Primacy effect
It refers to superior recall of words at and near the beginning of a list.
Presented by: Dur e
Zahra
(L1F19BS
SY0191)
Topic:

Interference theory
Presented to: Ms Sabiha Dar

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