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Dynamic memory searches: Selective output interference for the memory of facts
William R Aue1,2, Amy H Criss3, Melissa A Prince4
1Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA. william.aue@gmail.com.
Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|April 26, 2015
Summary
Testing can harm memory recall, especially semantic memory (knowledge). This study found "output interference" (OI) occurred during a second test, particularly for questions previously answered incorrectly, suggesting episodic memory
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Human Memory Research
Background:
- Testing benefits later memory performance but can also impair it.
- "Output interference" (OI) describes decreased accuracy during testing.
- OI is well-studied in episodic memory but less so in semantic memory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate output interference (OI) in semantic memory.
- To understand how testing impacts knowledge recall.
- To explore the role of episodic memory in semantic memory interference.
Main Methods:
- Participants completed two tests of factual knowledge.
- Corrective feedback was provided after the first test.
- Performance was analyzed for output interference during both tests.
Main Results:
- No OI was observed during the initial semantic memory test.
- OI was evident during the second test.
- Interference was concentrated on items answered incorrectly in Test 1, likely relying on episodic memory of feedback.
Conclusions:
- Semantic memory may be less susceptible to output interference than episodic memory.
- Episodic memory's reliance on recent experiences (feedback) might increase its vulnerability to interference during testing.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms of output interference across memory types.
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