The finding that people who sleep after learning a list of nonsense syllables forget less than people who stay awake provides evidence that forgetting may involve

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The fact that those who stayed awake forgot more than those who slept after learning a list of nonsense syllables suggests interference as a cause of forgetting. This is because any new information presented to the mind can interfere with the retention of the earlier information, either by causing proactive or retroactive interference. Sleeping after learning, on the other hand, provides a period of rest that helps to solidify memories, reducing interference that would otherwise cause forgetting.

The Finding That People Who Sleep After Learning a List