When memories compete
Compare how earlier and later learning can affect retrieval.
The picture in words
- Proactive interference
- Earlier learning can interfere with newer information.
- Retroactive interference
- Newer learning can interfere with earlier information.
- Overlap
- Similar material can create competing retrieval demands.
Reading the illustration
Keep the timeline running from earlier to later learning. Then follow the interference arrow to see which information affects retrieval of the other.
Try a question
Which direction of interference fits using an old password when trying to remember a new one?
Show the explanation
Earlier learning is intruding on the newer password. That example illustrates proactive interference.
Read the sources
- Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020). Psychology 2e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/8-3-problems-with-memorySelected rendered passages: Misinformation paradigm and encoding failure passages; interference subsection.