Dissipation of retroactive interference in human infants.
In 3 experiments with 85 human 3-month-olds, the authors asked whether retroactive interference with their memory of the original training stimulus is temporary or permanent. Infants learned to move a mobile by kicking and then were exposed to a different mobile (Experiment 1) or context (Experiment 2) immediately or 3 days afterward (Experiment 3). They were tested after increasing delays with the original stimulus, the exposed stimulus, or a completely novel stimulus. Retroactive interference was temporary and unrelated to the exposure delay. The data are consistent with a retrieval-based account of interference. Memory updating (i.e., responding to the interfering stimulus) was coincident with retroactive interference, suggesting that retroactive interference is an adaptive mechanism that facilitates memory updating within a narrow time window.
Gulya
Michelle
M
Rutgers University, Department of Psychology, 152 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854-8020, USA.
Rossi-George
Alba
A
Rovee-Collier
Carolyn
C
D001245:Association Learning; D001288:Attention; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D011939:Mental Recall; D009042:Motivation; D002666:Psychology, Child; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012153:Retention, Psychology; D012931:Social Environment