Is scent‐enhanced memory immune to retroactive interference?

Abstract

Abstract Research shows that scent enhances memory for associated information. Current debate centers around scent's immunity to “retroactive interference,” i.e., reduced memory for earlier‐learned information after exposure to additional, subsequently‐learned information. This paper demonstrates that scent‐enhanced memory is indeed prone to retroactive interference, but that some of the information lost is restored using a scent‐based retrieval cue. Two process explanations for interference effects are proposed, with the evidence providing more support for an inhibition rather than a response competition explanation. The results enhance our understanding of the encoding and retrieval of olfactory information from long‐term memory, and reasons why interference occurs.