RETROACTIVE INTERFERENCE WITH MULTIPLE INTERPOLATED LISTS

Conducted 2 experiments (with 72 and 100 undergraduates, respectively) to determine the effects of original-learning (OL) dominance and multiple interpolated responses on retroactive inhibition (RI). In Exp. I, both OL and interpolated-learning (IL) lists were alternated. Because RI decreased only slightly as number of IL alternations increased, it was concluded that OL dominance by itself does not have a strong effect on RI. In Exp. II, number of IL responses was varied in A-B, A-D and A-B, C-D paradigms. RI increased with increasing IL responses, but the change was greater with low interlist stimulus similarity. These data indicate that with multiple interpolated lists, number of interfering responses per se and not list dominance is the important factor for RI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.