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Memory Interference and its Types

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Memory interference is a phenomenon where competing memories affect recall, with proactive and retroactive types causing learning difficulties. Understanding these can help improve memory retention through strategies like mnemonic devices and tailored educational techniques. Research in this field has evolved from early 20th-century studies to modern neuroscience, revealing the neural mechanisms and implications for learning.

The Phenomenon of Memory Interference

Memory interference is a critical phenomenon in cognitive psychology, where one memory competes with or replaces another, leading to difficulties in recall. This interference can be categorized into two types: proactive interference, where old memories interfere with the retrieval of new information, and retroactive interference, where new information causes forgetting of previously learned material. Understanding these types of interference is essential for grasping the dynamics of memory and the reasons behind certain types of forgetfulness.
Colorful anatomical model of the human brain with frontal lobes in blue, parietal lobes in pink, occipital lobes in green, temporal lobes in yellow and cerebellum in purple, next to a jar of colored marbles.

Proactive versus Retroactive Interference: Clarifying Concepts

Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information hinders the learning and recall of new information. For example, an individual fluent in Spanish may find it challenging to learn Portuguese vocabulary because of the interference from the established Spanish lexicon. Retroactive interference, on the other hand, happens when new learning disrupts the recall of older information, such as when one's memory of a friend's old phone number is impaired after learning their new number. Remembering the directional prefixes 'pro-' as forward-acting and 'retro-' as backward-acting can help distinguish between the two types.

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00

In cognitive psychology, ______ interference is when past memories hinder the recall of newly acquired information.

proactive

01

______ interference occurs when newly learned information leads to the forgetting of older material in cognitive psychology.

Retroactive

02

Define proactive interference.

Proactive interference: old information hinders learning/recall of new information.

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