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- Proactive interference
- Retroactive interference

Types of Memory Interference

Retroactive interference occurs when information learned more recently obstructs the recall of older, previously learned information. This phenomenon is also considered a potential explanation for the misinformation effect.

Retroactive Interference

Proactive interference is a type of memory disruption where old, previously learned information hinders the ability to recall newly learned information.

Proactive Interference

Proactive and retroactive interference are two ways in which memories can compete with each other. The key difference lies in the direction of the interference. Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information hinders the recall of new information. Conversely, retroactive interference happens when newly learned information disrupts the recall of older information.

Comparison of Proactive and Retroactive Interference

For years, a musician played the guitar. They recently started learning to play the ukulele, which has a different tuning and chord shapes. Now, when they pick up the guitar, they find themselves occasionally forming ukulele chord shapes by mistake. Which memory phenomenon does this situation best illustrate?

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