Explanation of Forgetting - Interference

Interference - where retrieval of memories is confused/disrupted by other memories/stored information. Interference is a form of LTM forgetting and is much more likely o ocur when memories are similar.

TPYPES OF INTERFERENCE:

PRO-ACTIVE INTERFERENCE= when OLD/existing memories affect NEW memories i.e. interference goes forward

OLD INO========> NEW INFO

              confuses/

              disrupts

RETRO ACTIVE INTERFERENCE= when new memories affect old/existing memories i.e. intererence goes backwards. 

NEW INFO=======> OLD INFO

                 confuses/

                 disrupts

KEY STUDY INTERFERENCE

Underwood (1957)

Aims- To investigate whether interference can be demonstrated under lab conditions.

Method- participants are asked to learn TWO sets of word pairs with the first word the SAME in each case. 

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