Definition of Proactive Interference

Proactive interference is a theory about human memory that refers to the failure to recall information due to disruptions caused by events or learning new information prior to the moment of the recollection. This happens when a person forgets information or other memories because of the influx of other knowledge previously learned. The acceptance of new memories tends to impede the process of recollection and vice versa.

Theory

• The interference theory of memory indicates that individuals fail to remember memories not because they are in fact lost or erased but because other series of information get in between. Proactive interference specifically happens when information or memories that were previously learned and made obstructs recall of other information. Experts note that such interference creates a problem for individuals since it can affect the way a person processes newer information that needs to be learned.

Example

• Experts have long hypothesized that failure to recall information will exist when proactive interference does. One realistic example is the way a person has memorized his phone number. Given that the individual has used a phone number for years and that it was lately changed or compromised, it is more than likely that the person will have difficulty memorizing the new phone number. The old number has been so engraved inside the mind, it's "memory" is competing with the new information. This is proactive interference in concrete terms.

Studies

• "Recent Probes Task" is one of the most prominent experimental studies done on Proactive interference. This study asked participants to provide a certain set of items that are part of their memory. Afterward, the participants were asked to remember the item presented by the probe. Through this study, it was established that there are two brain anatomical components involved in potentially addressing the interference. These two components are the left anterior and the ventrolateral prefrontal complex. Both components are considered influential in mitigating proactive interference.

Span Performance

• Another concept relevant to memory recall failure is "span performance". This pertains to the capacity of a person's working memory. Experts have long theorized that humans have restricted capacity in terms of problem-solving, language comprehension and, ultimately, memory. Studies later on established that proactive interference in fact does complicate a person's span performance or working memory capacity.

Effects of Age

• Age is a factor that contributes to proactive interference. It affects a person's capacity to recall information because of the accumulation overlapping information and memories throughout the years. In most cases, the memory processing of a person becomes poor once old memories or knowledge overrides newly learned information.