A model for interference and forgetting

A new model for interference and forgetting is presented. The model is based on the Raaijmakers and Shiffrin search of associative memory (SAM) theory for retrieval from long-term memory. It includes a contextual fluctuation process that enables it to handle time-dependent changes in retrieval strengths. That is, the contextual retrieval strength is assumed to be proportional to the overlap between the contextual elements encoded in the memory trace and the elements active at the time of testing. It is shown that the model predicts a large number of phenomena from the classical interference literature. These include the basic results concerning retroactive inhibition, proactive inhibition, spontaneous recovery, independence of List 1 and List 2 recall, Osgood's transfer and retroaction surface, simple forgetting functions, the use of recognition measures, and the relation between response accuracy and response latency. It is shown that these results can be explained by a model that does not incorporate an "unlearning " assumption, thus avoiding many of the difficulties that have plagued the traditional interference theories. In recent years, a number of memory models have been presented that successfully predict the major results concerning recall and recognition. Unfortunately, however, many of thos