Which concept refers to how recent information can interfere with the recollection of older information?

The concept that refers to how recent information can interfere with the recollection of older information is retroactive interference. This phenomenon occurs when newly learned information disrupts the retrieval of previously stored information, making it more difficult for an individual to recall earlier memories. It highlights the dynamic nature of memory, where both old and new information can influence one another.

For example, if you learn a new phone number, it may become challenging to remember an older phone number that you once had memorized. This illustrates how the newly acquired information can obscure access to the older data, emphasizing the role of temporal ordering in memory recall.

In contrast, proactive interference involves older information interfering with the acquisition of new information. Memory decay refers to the fading or loss of memories over time without interference from new information. Cognitive dissonance is a psychological tension that arises when a person holds conflicting beliefs or attitudes, and it is not directly related to memory recall interference. Thus, understanding retroactive interference is key to grasping how our memory systems can be influenced by the order and similarity of information.