In the context of memory, what does proactive inhibition lead to?

Proactive inhibition refers to the phenomenon where previously learned information interferes with the acquisition of new information. When a person encounters new material that is similar to what they already know, the existing memories can hinder their ability to learn or remember the new information effectively. This concept underscores why individuals might struggle to remember new facts, names, or skills when they closely resemble what they have already learned.

In practical scenarios, for example, if someone learns a new language that shares vocabulary with one they already know, the old language can interfere with correctly learning and recalling words in the new language. Therefore, this interference causes difficulties in learning new information, making it the accurate representation of proactive inhibition's effects on memory.