Difficulty

Definition

Difficulty refers to challenges or obstacles encountered when performing a task or achieving a goal. In this context, difficulty refers to the reduced ability to recall items in the middle of a list.

Related terms

Interference:

Interference occurs when new information disrupts or interferes with the retrieval of previously stored information. In this case, later items on the list may interfere with recalling earlier ones.

Working memory capacity: Working memory capacity refers to an individual's ability to hold and manipulate information temporarily in their mind. Limited working memory capacity can make it more difficult to recall all items on a list.

Context-dependent memory: Context-dependent memory suggests that remembering is enhanced when retrieval occurs in a similar context or environment as encoding. If you learned and studied the list of items in one environment but are trying to recall them in a different environment, it may lead to difficulty.