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Implicit memory is not immune to interference.
Psychological Bulletin
|September 11, 2001
Summary
Implicit memory, unlike previously thought, is susceptible to interference, similar to explicit memory. This occurs when similar items compete for retrieval, impacting memory recall.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Memory Research
Background:
- Early research suggested implicit memory was immune to interference.
- Subsequent studies and amnesic patient data indicate interference effects are present.
- Interference is a key factor in forgetting within explicit memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether interference affects implicit memory.
- To reconcile conflicting findings regarding implicit memory and interference.
- To explore the conditions under which interference impacts implicit memory.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on implicit memory and interference.
- Analysis of methods, materials, and findings from relevant investigations.
- Consideration of amnesic patient performance on implicit memory tasks.
Main Results:
- Interference occurs on implicit memory tests when targets and nontargets are similar, creating response competition.
- The extent of interference is influenced by the number of competing items and their strength relative to the target.
- Interference effects in implicit memory appear to parallel those observed in explicit memory.
Conclusions:
- Implicit memory is not immune to interference.
- Interference mechanisms in implicit and explicit memory may share similarities.
- Findings have implications for theoretical models of memory and brain function.