interference theory

Interference theory is a concept in psychology that explains how memories can become less accessible when new information overlaps with or disrupts them. It suggests that when we learn new things, they can interfere with our ability to recall older memories. There are two types of interference: proactive interference, where older memories make it harder to learn new information, and retroactive interference, where new information makes it difficult to remember what we’ve previously learned. This theory highlights the complexity of memory as not just a storage system, but one influenced by various factors over time.