

In fact, changing one habit to another is a form often creates proactive interference.įor example, after January 1st, everyone slips up and writes the old year down once or twice. Maybe when the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was created, the old dog was just unable to learn the tricks due to proactive interference!Ī lot of examples of proactive interference appear to be things that we have done out of habit. It makes sense – they’ve got a lot more memories stored away that can interfere with new memories. Older adults are more likely than young adults to experience proactive interference. If you have experienced an interference like in the situation I mentioned earlier, you experienced proactive interference. This is a type of interference where old memories interfere with your ability to make new memories. Proactive interference is also commonly known as proactive inhibition. There are two types of interference: proactive and retroactive interference. Psychologists theorize it’s difficult to create a new memory that contradicts or is too similar to older memories, like the Spanish or French translation of the same word. Proactive interference, also known as proactive inhibition, occurs when old memories interfere with your ability to encode and retrieve new information. As you try to come up with Spanish words in conversation or on a test, you find yourself saying the same words, but in French! What is Proactive Interference? Let’s say you spent a few years in high school learning a second language – we’ll go with French.

Want to see examples of Proactive Interference to help you learn what the definition is? This page will be your best friend.
