What is "retroactive interference"?

• A. Old memories influence the recall of new memories
• B. New memories alter the recall of old memories
• C. Memories fade over time
• D. The mixing of unrelated memories

Answer: (B)

Retroactive interference refers to the phenomenon where new information makes it more difficult to recall previously learned information. This occurs when newly acquired knowledge interferes with the retrieval of older memories. For example, if someone learns a new phone number, they might struggle to remember an old phone number due to the intrusion of the new information. This type of interference highlights the dynamic nature of memory, where the relationship between different pieces of information can influence recall capabilities. Understanding retroactive interference can shed light on how the learning process impacts memory retention over time.