Study is a further examination of the conditions under which retroactive inhibition occurs in prose. The two variables manipulated are the similarity of the interpolated stories (similar vs. dissimilar) and the response requirements (recall vs. recognition). (Author)

This monograph analyzes theoretical and methodological problems that may have prevented previous research from detecting retroactive inhibition with meaningful discourse and reports on two experiments based on the analysis. (Author/TA)

Three experiments were conducted, investigating the buildup of and the release from proactive interference, in which the stimulus materials were brief prose passages about specific topics. Each passage was followed by a multiple-choice test, and then a final test on all the passages read was given. Implications of the data for standardized tests…

The present experiment was designed to seek further evidence concerning the possible role of retroactive interference in situations whereby students learn information made available in prose form. (Author)

Results were in close agreement with interference theory and the findings of paired-associate research. (Author)

Literature on forgetting in prose learning was reviewed to establish the relative importance of five variables: (1) the definition of prose and the organizational structure of the material implied in the definition; (2) the time factor; (3) the mode of criteria measurement; (4) the similarity factor; and (5) strength of learning. Each of these was…