Jonah loves learning new languages. In high-school, he learned French and in college, he learned Italian. Sometimes, when he is trying to remember Italian words, French words come to mind instead. This is an example of _____.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Proactive interference occurs when previously learned information interferes with the acquisition and retrieval of new information. In this case, Jonah's previously learned French words are interfering with his ability to retrieve Italian words. Retroactive interference, on the other hand, would occur if his newly learned Italian words interfered with his ability to remember his previously learned French words. Retrograde and dissociative amnesia are not applicable in this scenario.

Jonah Loves Learning New Languages