Interference as an explanation of forgetting

• Interference


  When two pieces of information are in conflict, resulting in forgetting in LTM
• Interference often occurs when the two resources are similar
• Types of interference


  • Proactive interference
  • Retroactive interference
• Proactive interference


  Older memories disrupt the recall of newer memories
• Proactive interference


  • A teacher may have trouble remembering a new student's name if they have learned the names of many old students
• Retroactive interference


  Newer memories disrupt the recall of older memories
• Retroactive interference


  • Learning a new mobile number often makes it very difficult to recall your old number