Which definition correctly distinguishes proactive interference from retroactive interference?
ARetroactive: later material reinforces earlier material at recall
BProactive: later learning interferes with recall of earlier learning
CProactive: earlier learning interferes with recall of later learning
DRetroactive: earlier material reinforces later material at recall
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Proactive: earlier learning interferes with recall of later learning
1. The chapter explains interference theory as competition between learnt associations at retrieval.
2. Proactive interference is forward moving: past learning interferes with the recall of subsequent learning.
3. Example given: knowing English makes learning French harder due to proactive interference.
4. Retroactive interference is backward moving: later learning interferes with the recall of earlier learning.
5. Distractor 2 swaps the two directions; distractors 3 and 4 frame interference as reinforcement, which is wrong.
6. Hence proactive equals earlier learning hurting later recall.
_Source: NCERT Class 11 Psychology Ch 6 "Human Memory", p. 104, Forgetting due to Interference_
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