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What does proactive interference refer to in learning psychology?

  1. The beneficial effect of prior learning on new information

  2. The disruptive effect of prior learning on the retention of new information

  3. The enhancement of memory retention over time

  4. The ability to recall information without prior learning

The correct answer is: The disruptive effect of prior learning on the retention of new information

Proactive interference refers to the phenomenon where previously learned information interferes with the ability to learn and recall new information. In this context, when someone has learned certain information in the past, that knowledge can disrupt or hinder their ability to remember new information that they are trying to learn. This disruption occurs because the prior knowledge may be similar or relevant, causing confusion or difficulty in retrieving the new information effectively. The other options describe different concepts in learning psychology. The beneficial effect of prior learning on new information aligns with the concept of proactive facilitation, where earlier knowledge enhances the learning of subsequent material. The enhancement of memory retention over time relates to the idea of spaced repetition or long-term memory consolidation, rather than interference. Lastly, the ability to recall information without prior learning does not directly relate to proactive interference, as it refers more to independent retrieval rather than the effects of earlier acquired knowledge.