Retroactive interference is a psychological phenomenon where new information disrupts the recall of previously learned information. This occurs when the learning of new material makes it harder to remember older material, leading to confusion or forgetting. For example, if you learn a new phone number, you might struggle to remember your old one. This type of interference is often studied in the context of memory and learning, particularly in relation to cognitive psychology. It highlights the complexities of how our memory systems work and the challenges we face when trying to retain multiple pieces of information over time.