retroactive vs proactive interference
Retroactive Vs. Proactive Interference
Forgetting memorized information is a natural and organic process, but the exact pathway involved has not yet been elucidated. However, few theories have been developed to help explain the gradual loss of memory. One such theory is the interference theory which hypothesizes that memory is lost due to proactive and retroactive interference of new information. These two concepts are elaborated and compared in this Buzzle article.
Did You Know?
Surgical removal of almost half the brain matter would have no apparent effect on the personality or memory of an individual.- Encoding - Failure in proper encoding of short-term memory leads to their non-conversion into long-term memory, and hence, the inevitable loss
- Storage Decay - Poor quality and strength of stored memory causes a gradual decay.
- Retrieval Failure - Inability to successfully retrieve stored long-term memory causes loss of that memory.
- Interference Theory - Acquisition of new data interferes with similar data that is already stored.
Retroactive Vs. Proactive Interference
Definition
★ Newly gained knowledge interferes with stored old memory.
★ Old stored information interferes with newly formed memory.
Mode of Action
★ New memory replaces and inhibits the recall of previously stored memory, hence, leading to its loss.
★ Stored information projects itself forward and hampers the gain of new data.
Cause
★ Preoccupation of the brain with learning new data causes faulty or no retrieval of old data.
★ The data being acquired is either highly similar or extremely contradictory to the previously stored data.
Brain Structures Involved
★ Left anterior ventral prefrontal cortex
★ Frontal cortex
★ Ventrolateral prefrontal cortex
★ Left anterior prefrontal cortex
Mechanisms Involved
★ Competition between old and new data
★ Unlearning of old data
★ Competition between old and new data
Examples
★ Replacing your old password with a new one, causing one to forget the old password.
★ A student confuses a concept learned previously with those learned later on.
★ Recollection of only the old password and not the new one, after changing it.
★ A student is unable to grasp a new concept due to confusion caused by the already learned similar concepts.