EXPERIMENT-6

RETROACTIVE INHIBITION

Introduction:
It is believed that forgetting may occur as a result of different types of interference with
memory. When past memories interfere with memories of recent experience, it is known as
Pro-active Inhibition. When memories of recent experience interfere with past memories it is
known as Retroactive Inhibition.

Retro-active Inhibition refers to the difference in the degree of forgetting resulting from the
interpolation of a formal learning task, as compared with an equivalent period free from
learning activity. Retro active Inhibition is a case of negative transfer of training, as the
learning of one task interferes with the retention of another. Experiments have shown Retro-
active Inhibition to be a highly reliable and predictable phenomenon. At the same time it is
true that the degree of Retro-active Inhibition varies with a wide range of experimental
variables like different conditions of interpolation, the extent of similarity between the old
and the new materials, the degree of meaning and logical relationship, length of material,
strength of learning the original material and the interpolated activity.

Review of literature:
1. Retroactive inhibition
By: Britt, S.H

Various studies, including those by Pilzecker IV and Mller, are reviewed under the
heading "Definition of the concept." The importance of the concept is also assessed
under the heading "I." A number of factors are used to determine the conditions under
which learning occurs. These include the time interval, amount of material, and
degree of learning.

2. Retroactive Inhibition in free recall

By: Tulving, E, Prostka J

The observed retroactive inhibition was attributable mainly to the lowered probability of
recall of word categories as higher order memory units by experimenting on 128 high
school and university student under free call conditions which was not greatly affected. It
is concluded that retroactive inhibition in free recall of organized lists (a) represents a
state of memory of higher order units of information are available but not accessible in
the memory store, (b) reflects altered stimulating conditions of interpolated learning, and
(c) can be described as instance of cue-dependent forgetting.

Refereence:

1. Britt, S. H. (1935). Retroactive inhibition: a review of the literature. Psychological

Bulletin, 32(6), 381.

2. Tulving, E., & Psotka, J. (1971). Retroactive inhibition in free recall: Inaccessibility of
information available in the memory store. Journal of experimental Psychology, 87(1),
1.
Problem:
To demonstrate the phenomenon of Retroactive Inhibition on the recall of verbal material.

Hypothesis:
Retroactive Inhibition has a negative effect on recall of verbal material.

Plan:
The experiment is conducted in two series- without interpolation and with interpolation. The
number of words correctly recalled under the two series is compared and the extent of
Retroactive Inhibition is determined.

Variables:
Independent Variable: The presentation of list 'C' as interpolated activity.
Dependent Variable: Number of words recalled.

Materials:
1. Three lists of meaningful words, with twenty words in each list. Lists B and C are
synonyms.

2. Stop Clock

3. 3.Letter Cancellation Sheet

Procedure:
Series 1 (Without Interpolated Activity.) Instruct the - Subject to listen carefully to the list
of words presented orally and to learn it since he/she has to recall it later. Give a 'Ready'
Signal and present the list orally at the rate of two seconds per word. Present the list five
times with an interval of five seconds between each word in the list. After the fifth
presentation, give a distraction period of 280 seconds during which the Subject is given letter
cancellation so that he/she may not rehearse the list. Now ask the Subject to recall list A and
note down the number of words correctly recalled.

Series 2 - (With Interpolated activity): Following the same procedure as above, present list
B five times. During the distraction period of 280 seconds, present list C five times for
Interpolation. This covers 220 seconds (200 seconds presentation, and 20 seconds interval
between presentations.). For the remaining 60 seconds engage the Subject in letter
cancellation. Ask the Subject to recall list B and note the number of words correctly recalled.

A memory drum can also be used for presentation of the words

Instructions:
"I will call out a list of words, listen to them carefully, ans you have to reproduce the same
when you are asked to do so."
 Controls/Precautions:
1. The difficulty level of the words must be equal in all the lists.

2. The words of lists B and C must be similar in meaning.

3. In the second series, the Subject should not be aware that he/she has to recall list B.

4. During the distraction period, the Subject must be kept occupied with letter
cancellation or mathematical sums or any such unrelated activities.

Analysis:

1. Determine the number of words recalled correctly in lists A and B separately and find the
difference.

2. Calculate Mean and Standard Deviation for the Group.

Points for Discussion:

a) Discuss whether Retroactive inhibition has influenced the recall of list B.

b) Discuss variations in the group if any.

DISCUSSION
Aim: The aim of the experiment was to demonstrate the phenomenon of Retroactive Inhibition on the
recall of verbal material.

Individual Discussion:
Table 1: Showing the number of words recalled.
Name Series I Series II Difference
number of words recalled in number of words recalled
list A in list B
RR 11 10 1

The experiment was conducted on RR, a 23 year old male who is a malayalam actor.

Looking at Table 1 it can be seen that, the number of words recalled in list A was 11 and the number
of words recalled in list B was 10. Therefore the subject proves the hypothesis which is, “Retroactive
Inhibition has a negative effect on recall of verbal material.”
Conclusion:
 The subject proves the hypothesis which is “Retroactive Inhibition has a negative effect on
recall of verbal material.”