Which of the following describes retroactive interference?

• A. New memories interfere with old memories
• B. Old memories are easier to recall
• C. Memories fade with time
• D. Memories are lost due to disuse

Answer: (A)

Retroactive interference occurs when new information disrupts the recall of previously learned information. This is particularly relevant in scenarios where the new memories are similar to or overlap with old memories, making it difficult to access or remember the older information. An example of this might include learning a new phone number that makes it hard to remember an older one because the new number interferes with the retrieval of the old number.

The other options are related concepts but do not accurately describe retroactive interference. The second option suggests that old memories are easier to recall, which does not align with the idea of interference; instead, retroactive interference implies that recalling these older memories becomes more challenging. The third option about memories fading with time describes a different phenomenon known as decay, which is not specifically related to the interference from new memories. Finally, the fourth option suggests that memories are lost due to disuse, which also refers to the idea of decay or disuse, and does not capture the essence of interference.