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The problem in this study was to compare middle-aged (n = 20) and old (n = 20) subjects for effects of interference on rote learning. At each age level, one group was tested on a paired-associate list high in response competition and one low in response competition. Interference was induced by re-pairing S-R associates demonstrated to have a high relationship on word frequency count norms. An Age x Interference interaction was found with the elderly making significantly more errors in performance than the middle aged. Age and interference also affected backward R-S recall to some degree. The elderly showed a significantly greater deficit in this form of incidental learning, especially when the intentional phase had high response competition as the experimental variable. The increased difficulty of the interference lists offers alternative hypotheses to interference theory as to the basis for such poor performance.

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