Interference Theory of Forgetting

Interference Theory of Forgetting

1. Two types of interference

   • Retroactive interference - when new information interferes with the recall of old information.
   • Proactive interference - when old information interferes with the recall of new information.

2. States that information we are learning can be interfered with by new information or old information.

3. States that interference is most likely to occur when the information we are learning is similar.

4. Support for the theory is Dallenback (1924) - he trained two groups of cockroaches to complete a maze perfectly. He then left an interval of eight hours, in which one group of cockroaches was wrapped in cotton wool, unable to move. The other group was able to roam free. When tested eight hours later, it was found that the group that were free made three times the amount of mistakes as the ones wrapped in cotton wool.

5. Opposing theory: Cue Dependancy Theory of Forgetting