| Abstract: | Investigated predictions of the network-interference theory in the retrieval of multiplication facts in 2 experiments involving 27 undergraduates (aged 19–30 yrs). Ss were tested with 36 interference or practice multiplication problems. Results indicate that retrieval of a product via one problem increased the probability that this product will be retrieved in error to another problem later. The effect of retrieval priming on error patterns was problem-specific, occurring when there were relatively strong associations between a problem and the false answers that were primed. Correct retrieval times for specific problems were increased or decreased by manipulating the activation levels of strong false associates through correct retrievals via other problems. It is argued that single-digit multiplication problems access a network structure of candidate answers and that different problems can overlap in the network substructures they activate. A model of network interference is proposed in which activation is distributed among candidate answers as a multiplicative function of associative and node strengths. Predictions derived from the hypothesis that adults' production of simple number combinations is governed substantially by procedural operations were not confirmed. (40 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
