Which phenomenon involves old information blocking access to new information?

Which phenomenon involves old information blocking access to new information?

• A. Memory skills
• B. Assimilation
• C. Learning disabilities
• D. Interference

Answer: (D)

Interference occurs when memories compete for retrieval, so similar memories can block one another. When older information makes it hard to access something newly learned, this is proactive interference. The retrieval cues that would normally bring up the new material also activate the older, familiar memory, and the stronger, earlier memory can dominate, leading to difficulty recalling the new information. Context helps: our memory relies on cues, and when old and new memories share those cues, they compete. This isn’t about being unable to store the new material; it’s about retrieving it because the old memory gets in the way. For example, trying to remember a new phone number that’s similar to your previous one can fail because the old number intrudes during recall. The other options don’t describe this retrieval-blocking process. Memory skills refer to how well a person can encode, store, and retrieve memories in general. Assimilation is adjusting new information into existing schemas. Learning disabilities are challenges that affect learning across domains.

Interference occurs when memories compete for retrieval, so similar memories can block one another. When older information makes it hard to access something newly learned, this is proactive interference. The retrieval cues that would normally bring up the new material also activate the older, familiar memory, and the stronger, earlier memory can dominate, leading to difficulty recalling the new information.

Context helps: our memory relies on cues, and when old and new memories share those cues, they compete. This isn’t about being unable to store the new material; it’s about retrieving it because the old memory gets in the way. For example, trying to remember a new phone number that’s similar to your previous one can fail because the old number intrudes during recall.

The other options don’t describe this retrieval-blocking process. Memory skills refer to how well a person can encode, store, and retrieve memories in general. Assimilation is adjusting new information into existing schemas. Learning disabilities are challenges that affect learning across domains.