APA Dictionary of Psychology

the influence of prior learning on new learning, either to enhance it (see positive transfer) or to hamper it (see negative transfer). Solving a new problem is usually easier if previously learned principles or components can be applied, but in some cases these may confuse or mislead. The general principles of mathematics, for example, transfer to computer programming, but a knowledge of Spanish may have both positive and negative effects in learning Italian. See also general transfer; specific transfer.