Retroactive inhibition without intentional new learning: Some comment on the elicitation hypothesis

Abstract

Two groups of subjects learned a list of paired-associates. Subsequently, an interpolated phase was introduced that did not require the acquisition of a new PA-list. The experimental group had to fulfill a number of little tasks with respect to the first terms of the previously learned list, whereas the control group did the task with words which were not on that list. In two experiments it was shown that when the retention of the learned associates was tested, the experimental group suffered more from forgetting than the control group. It is concluded that new learning is not a prerequisite in the induction of RI. The position of the elicitation hypothesis of Two Factor theory is critically discussed and the evocative disuse hypothesis is presented as an alternative conception with respect to the phenomenon of interference.