| why do we forget? LTM | - accessibility : information that was once stored is difficult to retrieve
- interference : memory is inaccessible because of old or new information blocking interval |
| why do we forget? STM | - lack of availability, because STM has small capacity. information is pushed out |
| interference | - forgetting because one memory blocks another, causing one or both memories to be distorted or forgotten |
| proactive interference | - forgetting occurs when OLDER memories, already stored, disrupt the recall of NEWER memories |
| retroactive interference | forgetting occurs when NEWER memories disrupt the recall of older memories already stored. |
| research on effects of similarity | MCGEOCH AND MCDONALD
- studied retractive interference by changing the amount of similarity between two sets of materials.
- when ppt were asked to recall the original list of words, most similar material produced worst recall.
- interference is strongest when the memories are similar |
| LIMITATION of interference | - interference is temporary and can be overcome by using cues
- tulving gave ppts lists of words, interference got worse as more words were given
- but when cues were given, recall rose again. |
