Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What type of interference occurs when newly learned information disrupts the recall of previously learned information?

1. Retroactive interference

2. Proactive interference

3. Associative interference

4. Contextual interference

The correct answer is: Retroactive interference

The phenomenon described, where newly learned information disrupts the recall of previously learned information, is known as retroactive interference. This occurs when recent experiences or information interfere with the retrieval of older memories. For instance, if you learned a new phone number that you encountered recently, it might make it difficult for you to remember an older number that you have known for some time. This is a fundamental concept in cognitive psychology, illustrating how our memory is not always a smooth recall of past events, but can be affected by what we learn afterwards. The other options represent different types of interference or relate to memory in alternative contexts. Proactive interference, for instance, involves previously learned information interfering with the recall of newly learned information. Associative interference is not a widely recognized term in the context of memory interference; it generally would refer to how connections between related ideas may complicate retrieval, but it does not specifically focus on the dynamics of new and old information as retroactive interference does. Contextual interference pertains more to learning and practice conditions impacting retention, rather than the interplay of time in memory recall.