Definition 1 of 2
Definition
In learning theory, interference is the disruption of memory or skill performance that occurs when prior learning blocks the acquisition of new material, or when new learning disrupts what was previously learned. It is one of the principal causes of forgetting and degraded recall in flight training.
Plain English
Interference is when one thing a student has learned gets in the way of learning or remembering something else. Old habits can confuse new lessons, and new lessons can push out older ones.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instruction discussions about learning, memory, habit patterns, and training in a new aircraft or procedure.
Derivation
From the Latin 'interferire,' meaning 'to strike against.' In learning, one set of knowledge literally 'strikes against' another and disrupts it.
Why Pilots Care
Helps instructors arrange training sequences to reduce confusion between similar procedures or maneuvers.
Analogy
Interference is like trying to remember a new door code after using the old one for months. The old code keeps coming to mind even though it no longer works.
Intuition Check
Interference does not mean radio static or someone physically blocking you in this context. Here it means one learned action or memory getting in the way of another.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor noticed interference when the student kept reaching for the throttle quadrant layout from his previous aircraft.
Example Sentence 2
New checklist training sometimes produces interference that makes a student momentarily forget an earlier emergency procedure.