Decay and interference theories of short-term forgetting

Abstract

Decay und interference theories of short-term forgetting were evaluated. Length of recall interval and amount of retroactive interference were systematically varied. In order to eliminate rehearsal, incidental recall was measured. Forgetting was not affected by varying length of recall interval, but it increased as amount of interference was increased. Results are interpreted as support for an interference theory of short-term forgetting. © 1968, Psychonomic Journals. All rights reserved.