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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

A Cognitive Paradigm to Investigate Interference in Working Memory by Distractions and Interruptions

Published on: July 16, 2015

Interference effects on commonly used memory tasks.

Linda M Brophy¹, Martin Jackson, Simon F Crowe

¹School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology : the Official Journal of the National Academy of Neuropsychologists

|April 28, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Memory testing interference negatively impacts delayed recall. Both proactive and retroactive interference equally reduced scores, suggesting a need to revise memory test standardization and clinical application.

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Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Cognitive Psychology
Psychometrics

Background:

Memory assessment is crucial in clinical and research settings.
Standardized memory tests aim for reliable and valid recall scores.
The impact of interfering stimuli during memory testing is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of interference on delayed recall.
To examine the influence of proactive and retroactive interference on memory measures.
To assess implications for memory test standardization and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

Two studies were conducted using the Wechsler Memory Scale-III (WMS-III) and other memory measures.
Participants completed immediate and delayed recall tasks with or without intervening interference tasks.
Interference tasks varied in their conceptual similarity to memory items and order of administration.

Main Results:

Interference introduced during the delay interval significantly impaired delayed recall performance across most WMS-III subtests.
Both proactive interference (PI) and retroactive interference (RI) demonstrated comparable negative effects on memory recall.
The specific order of administration of interference tasks did not alter the overall impact.

Conclusions:

Interference significantly compromises the accuracy of delayed recall scores in memory assessments.
Findings question the current standardization protocols for memory tests, particularly regarding interference.
Clinical practice should account for potential interference effects during memory evaluations to ensure valid results.