Interference Lab
Use the class period for data collection – the written lab report can be
turned in Jan. 2 nd
Materials:
Deck of playing cards
timer
graph paper for data
flat desk (for best results)
Time Frame: One Class Period for Data Collection
Procedure:
1. Students should work in pairs. One experimenter & one subject.
2. Put cards sorter on desk (H should be in the upper left corner)
3. Subjects are to sort out the deck of cards into the correct suits as the experimenter records the
time taken. Once through the deck is considered a trial.
4. At the end of 1 trial, each pile is checked for errors (add 5 seconds for each error)
5. The deck is shuffled and the sorting process is repeated for a total of five trials.
6. At the conclusion of the 5th trial, turn over the card sorter. “D” should be in the upper left
hand corner now.
7. The SAME subject completes five more trials.
8. Roles are reversed and the experiment repeated.
9. Graph results and answer questions.
Lab Report: (20 points)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Graph results in the best manner you see fit
Make sure to color code if that helps make things more clear
Define proactive interference; retroactive interference & positive transfer.
Explain how and why each of these terms are present or not present in your data.
Assessment:

create a clear & detailed graph to represent data - 5

define proactive interference - 2

define retroactive interference - 2

define positive transfer - 2

explain how and why proactive interference is present in your data (or not) - 3

explain how and why retroactive interference is present in your data (or not) - 3

explain how and why positive transfer is present in your data (or not) - 3