In the first training phase of a study, a rat is trained to expect food whenever a light flashes. In a second training phase, the rat receives food whenever the left key light is illuminated but no food when the right key light is illuminated. The rat has some difficulty learning the association in the second training phase, likely because of
A) retroactive interference.
B) proactive interference.
C) encoding failure.
D) trace decay.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Proactive interference occurs when older memories interfere with the acquisition of new memories. In this case, the rat's previous learning (expecting food whenever a light flashes) is interfering with its ability to learn the new association (food is only provided when the left key light is illuminated, not the right).

In the First Training Phase of a Study, a Rat