Final answer:
Interference theory provides a more comprehensive explanation for forgetting compared to decay theory because it accounts for the effects of newer and older information on memory recall. While decay theory focuses on the passage of time leading to fading memories, interference theory explains how learning can actively disrupt memory retrieval, demonstrating the dynamic nature of memory.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the "interference" theory to decay theory in terms of explaining why we forget things, interference theory may offer a more comprehensive explanation. The interference theory suggests forgetting occurs because proactive interference or retroactive interference causes difficulty in recalling information. Proactive interference involves old information interfering with the recall of new information, while retroactive interference is when newly learned information disrupts the recall of older information. On the other hand, decay theory suggests that information is forgotten over time as the memory trace becomes less active or fades.
In the debate between the two theories, interference theory is often favored due to its ability to account for the dynamic nature of memory. It explains how different types of information can affect each other, thus influencing recall and forgetting. A study by Peterson and Peterson on short-term memory showed that over time, without rehearsal or recall, memory fades. However, Keppel and Underwood's examination pointed towards the interference of memory when considering multiple trials. This demonstrates how learning new information can actively cause forgetting of older information, supporting the notion of interference.
The interference theory outperforms decay theory in explaining forgetting because it covers cases beyond mere passage of time, such as when one has difficulty remembering new contact information due to the familiarity of the old one, or when learning new academic material makes it hard to recall previously studied concepts. The complexity of these interactions between memories is something the decay theory on its own doesn't explain as robustly, since it focuses solely on the temporal aspect of memory fading.