What does retroactive transfer refer to?

Retroactive transfer is a concept in learning and skill acquisition that describes how subsequent learning can influence or alter previously learned skills. In this context, when a person learns a new skill, that new skill can interfere with or affect the performance of a skill that was learned earlier. This concept highlights the dynamic nature of memory and skills, where the acquisition of new information can retroactively modify or inhibit access to previously established knowledge or abilities. By understanding retroactive transfer, professionals can better design training programs that minimize the potential negative effects of new training on established competencies.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of retroactive transfer. Learning new skills by forgetting old ones, for instance, implies a complete loss of prior knowledge, which is not the focus of retroactive transfer. Improving skills through repetition pertains to the concept of practice leading to mastery, lacking the element of new learning affecting old. Transitioning skills across disciplines refers to the application of learned abilities in different contexts, which is distinct from the interaction between old and new skills described in retroactive transfer.