State and Context Dependent Cues Flashcards
Define: encoding specificity principle
the associations formed at the time of encoding new memories will be the most effective retrieval cues.
How can we use the encoding specificity principle to most effectively retrieve information?
Recreate the same conditions (state or context) as encoding
Define: context dependent cues
environmental cues in the specific situation in which a memory was formed, which act as retrieval aids to help retrieve the memories formed in that context.
Examples of context dependent cues?
SOunds, sights, smells, temperatures etc
Context dependent cues: why are witnesses taken back to crime scene?
Crime scene contains environmental cues from when the memory of crime was formed which act as retrieval cues to help recall the details of the crime.
Describe Baddeley and Godden (1975)
deep-sea divers were shown a list of 40 unrelated words either on a beach or underwater; recall tested in the same or different context – in the same context, up to 20% more words were retrieved (best in land/land condition).
Define: state dependent cues
associated with the physiological and/or psychological state a person was in when the memory was formed, which act as retrieval cues to help retrieve memories formed in that state.
Examples of state dependent cues?
an individual’s internal physiological and/or psychological state in which a memory was formed, which act as retrieval cues to help retrieve memories formed in that state.
Describe Miles and Hardman (1998)
participants were read a list of words when cycling slowly on an exercise bike or quickly so their heart rate was over 100bpm; recall was 20% better when information was recalled in the same condition.
Can physiological/psychological state caused by drugs can act as a retrieval cue?
Yes, but it does not necessarily enhance memory.
