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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

Misleading information that is presented to someone after witnessing event can change how they recall and explain that event. One common explanation is retroactive interference (new learning interfering with old memory/understanding)

Misinformation  Effect Paradigm

An academic example of retroactive interference occurs when a student studies one topic, such as the Ebbinghaus forgetting curve, and then studies a different topic, like Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, the following week. The more recent information about Erikson's theory may make it difficult for the student to remember the details of Ebbinghaus's work.

Example of Retroactive Interference: New Course Material Obscuring Old

Retroactive interference can be seen when learning a new email address, such as a sibling's college email (e.g., npatel@siblingcollege.edu), makes it harder to remember their old email address. The newly acquired information interferes with the recall of the older information.

Example of Retroactive Interference: Email Addresses

Which of the following scenarios is the best example of a situation where newly learned information makes it difficult to recall older, previously learned information?

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