What is interference in psychology?

Interference in Psychology

Interference in psychology refers to the phenomenon where the ability to remember or learn new information is impaired by previously learned information or by learning new information that disrupts the recall of previously learned information. This concept is primarily associated with memory and learning processes.

Types of Interference

• Proactive Interference: Occurs when older memories hinder the recall of newly learned information.
• Retroactive Interference: Happens when new learning interferes with the recall of older memories.

Examples

• Struggling to remember a new phone number because of the memory of an old number.
• Difficulty in learning a new language because of the influence of a previously learned language.

Mechanisms Behind Interference

Interference is believed to be caused by the competition between different memories or learning experiences. The brain's capacity to store and retrieve information is limited, and when information overlaps or is similar, it can lead to confusion and difficulty in recall.

Implications

Understanding interference has significant implications for educational strategies, cognitive therapy, and improving memory techniques. By recognizing how interference affects memory, strategies can be developed to minimize its impact, such as spaced repetition learning or varying the types of material studied in a single session.

In summary, interference is a critical concept in psychology that explains how certain memories or learning experiences can hinder the recall or learning of other information. By studying interference, psychologists can develop better methods for enhancing memory and learning in both educational and therapeutic contexts.