What term refers to when previously learned information interferes with the ability to learn new information?

The term that describes the occurrence when previously learned information interferes with the ability to learn new information is proactive interference. This phenomenon happens because the information that was learned earlier can create confusion or conflict with new information that is being processed.

For example, if a person has learned a particular set of vocabulary words in one language, when they try to learn similar vocabulary in another language, the earlier words may come to mind instead, making it harder to remember the new vocabulary.

In contrast, retroactive interference involves new information interfering with the recall of previously learned information, which is the opposite effect. Repression refers to the unconscious blocking of unwanted memories, and schema alteration deals with how our mental frameworks (schemas) may change as we encounter new information. Thus, proactive interference specifically targets the interference caused by earlier learning affecting new learning, making it the correct term in this context.