Tests of the two-factor theory of retroactive inhibition.

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Abstract
Two expts were performed to test the deduction from the two-factor theory of retroactive inhibition which states that proactive inhibition will be less than retroactive inhibition. In the first expt. 24 subjects learned lists of paired 2-syllable adjectives presented in 5 different orders to enforce paired associates learning. The interpolated learning required the subjects to associate new responses to the stimulus words used in the original learning. Original learning and interpolated learning was for 6 trials with a basic rest period of 30 mins. between original learning and recall. The 2d expt. varied from the first in that the pairs of adjectives were presented in a constant order on each trial and the original and interpolated learning was for only 4 trials. Significant amts. of retroactive inhibition at recall were found in both expts. Proactive inhibition was found only under the conditions of the first expt. The number of overt inter-list intrusions appearing at recall tended to substantiate the absolute amt. of both retroactive and proactive inhibition, i.e., the greater the amt. of inhibition the greater the number of intrusions. In both expts. retroactive inhibition was consistently greater than proactive inhibition thus confirming the deduction from the 2-factor theory of retroactive inhibition.

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