Harry and Sam are both taking French; Harry is also taking German, but Sam is not. Harry and Sam learn these French vocabulary words in their French class: head - la tête
Eye - l'œil
Mouth - la bouche
The following day, Harry learns these German vocabulary words in his German class:
Head - der Kopf
Eye - das Auge
Mouth - der Mund
A week later the two boys are given a French vocabulary quiz in which they are asked to give the French words for head, eye, and mouth. Other things being equal, findings from verbal learning research would lead us to predict that:
A) Due to retroactive inhibition, Harry will get a lower grade on the quiz than Sam.
B) Due to proactive inhibition, Harry will get a higher grade on the quiz than Sam.
C) Due to retroactive facilitation, Harry will get a lower grade on the quiz than Sam.
D) Due to proactive facilitation, Harry will get a higher grade on the quiz than Sam.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Retroactive inhibition occurs when new learning interferes with the recall of previously learned information. Since Harry learned German vocabulary after French, it might interfere with his recall of the French vocabulary, potentially leading to a lower quiz grade compared to Sam, who did not have this interference.

Harry and Sam Are Both Taking French; Harry Is Also