Question
Sylvia studied for her test. She knew the information so well she could recite it effortlessly. The problem arose when she entered the hallway outside the classroom door twenty minutes prior to the test.Her fellow students were discussing the same concepts she had studied the night before but were using different examples and terms. When she entered the room to take the test, her mind was swimming in disorder. The new information seemed to have constructed a barrier between her memory and the concepts she had studied earlier. Sylvia is suffering from which of the following? a. Retroactive interference b. Repression c. Proactive interference d. Decay
Solution
4.2
(237 Votes)
Ava
Master ยท Tutor for 5 years
Answer
The answer is **a. Retroactive interference**.Here's why:* **Retroactive interference** occurs when newly learned information interferes with the recall of previously learned information. This is exactly what Sylvia experienced. The new information from her classmates interfered with her ability to remember the information she had studied.Let's look at why the other options are incorrect:* **Proactive interference** is the opposite of retroactive interference. It happens when previously learned information interferes with the recall of newly learned information. This isn't what Sylvia experienced.* **Repression** is a psychological defense mechanism where unpleasant thoughts or memories are pushed into the unconscious mind. There's no indication of this in the scenario.* **Decay** refers to the fading of memories over time. While decay might play a small role, the primary issue here is the interference from the new information, not the simple passage of time.