Interference Theory

Interference Theory

1. Types of interference

   • Proactive interference (PI)
     • Old to new
     • Example: teacher struggles to remember current classes' name
   • Retroactive interference (RI)
     • New to old
     • Example: teacher can't remember name of old class
   • Rugby players who played most games forgot some of the teams they played against (Baddeley and Hitch)

2. Explanation of effects of similarities

   • Previously stored info makes new similar info more difficult to store
     • Proactive
   • New info overwrites previous memories because of similarity
     • Retroactive

3. Research on effects of similarities

   • McGeoch and McDonald studies retroactive (new to old)
   • Participants learn 10 words until could remember 100% accuracy, then learned new list
   • Six groups:
     • G1: Synonyms
     • G2: Antonyms
     • G3: Words unrelated to 1st list
     • G4: Consonant syllables
     • G5: Three-digit numbers
     • G6: No new list (control group)
   • Most similar words worst recall
     • Interference worst when memories are similar