Does Interpolated Testing Reduce Proactive Interference

Interpolating extended periods of study with memory tests effectively reduces proactive interference (PI). It might do so by associating previously learned and tested information with context that discern them. To assess this content discriminability account of interpolated testing, the present study compared recall for the final portion of a study sequence using either standard recall that requires participants to only recall information from the target list or an externalised free recall (EFR) procedure that requires participants to report any information that comes to mind while being tested. My results showed that although interpolated testing improved recall and reduced prior list intrusions in the context of a standard recall procedure, there was no evidence that interpolated testing resulted in the presence of more intrusions during recall or better monitoring of the origins of those intrusions in the context of the EFR procedure. Implications of this finding are discussed.