Proactive Interference

• How might changing a phone password affect memory recall?

  You might use the old password instead
• How might a well-established phone number affect remembering a new one?

  It may make remembering the new one difficult
• What is proactive interference?

  Older memories hinder new memories
• How does proactive interference affect learning a new song?

  Old song lyrics confuse learning new lyrics
• What is a common situation where older memories interfere with new ones?

  Changing a phone password
• What is a potential consequence of having similar phone numbers?

  Difficulty remembering the new number
• How does studying multiple subjects at once affect memory?

  Older material might interfere with new material
• What might cause difficulty in remembering a new phone number?

  If it's similar to an old number used before
• How does time elapsed between learning affect proactive interference?

  Shorter gaps lead to higher interference
• What happens when new memories are learned soon after old ones?

  Interference is higher
• What are the factors affecting proactive interference?

  • Similarity between memories
  • Time elapsed between learning
  • Strength of old memories
• What is the relationship between the timing of learning and the type of interference?

  Timing determines the direction of interference
• How does the strength of old memories affect proactive interference?

  Stronger memories block new information more effectively
• How do proactive and retroactive interference differ in terms of learning interference?

  They cause interference in opposite directions
• What is retroactive interference?

  New memories block old memories
• What can make it harder to remember new information?

  Older memories can block new ones
• If you learn two lists of similar words, what will happen?

  Remembering one will hinder the other
• What is the effect of similarity, time elapsed, and strength of old memories on proactive interference?

  • Similarity: Stronger interference for similar memories
  • Time Elapsed: Higher interference with shorter gaps
  • Strength of Old Memories: Stronger memories block new information more effectively
• What are the directions of interference for proactive and retroactive interference?

  • Proactive: Old → New
  • Retroactive: New → Old
• Why might someone mix up words when learning a new language?

  Because of interference from a previously learned language
• How does similarity between memories affect proactive interference?

  The more similar, the stronger the interference
• How can studying multiple subjects at once impact learning?

  It may cause confusion with older material