Research Shows That When People Are Presented an Irrelevant Distractor

question 87

Multiple Choice

Research shows that when people are presented an irrelevant distractor stimulus at the end of a word list they must recall, it impairs their ability to recall the last item on the list compared to a control group to whom there was no distractor stimulus. This finding is evidence for which theory of forgetting?

• A) Decay Theory
• B) Interference Theory
• C) Motivated Forgetting Theory
• D) Retrieval Failure Theory

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Definitions:

Biological Processes

Fundamental processes that occur within living organisms, including growth, reproduction, metabolism, and homeostasis.

Physical Processes

Natural phenomena involving the laws of physics, affecting the physical and chemical properties of substances.

Critical Periods

Designates specific times during development when the presence or absence of certain experiences can have profound effects on future neurological and psychological growth.

Sensitive Periods

Times in an individual's development when they are more responsive to certain stimuli and quicker to learn particular skills.