Grant

Question 1

Key Terms

Context Dependent Memory

Answer 1

The idea we are able to recall information best if we return to the same context in which the information was learned in the first place. It is suggested that when a memory is first formed, features of the environment are encoded in it

Question 2

Background

Godden & Baddely

Answer 2

Godden & Baddely split a group of divers into 4 groups. One group learnt a list of words underwater and were tested underwater, another learnt the list underwater but were tested on land, another learnt on land and were tested on land, then the final group learnt on land and were tested underwater. The best memory was found in the two matching groups

Question 3

Background

Smith

Answer 3

Suggested the Outshining hypothesis - Context dependent memory only works for recall not recognition, familiar environmental cues will be ‘outshone’ by cues from the questions

Question 4

Aim

Answer 4

To investigate context dependent memory for recall and recognition in relation to memorising meaningful prose

Question 5

Sample

Answer 5

8 student researchers each recruited 5 people, though 1 was removed for low scores. Participants were aged 17-56, 17 female and 23 male

Question 6

Procedure

Answer 6

Learning
Participants wore headphones, listening to either noise from the cafeteria at lunch or silence, and read a 2 page article on psychoimmunology. They then had a 2 minute break
Testing
Participants again wore headphones with either the noise or the silence and had to complete 10 short answer questions (recall) then 16 multiple choice questions (recognition)

Question 7

Findings

Answer 7

Recall
S Learning + S Test = 6.7
S Learning + N Test = 5.4
N Learning + S Test = 4.6
N Learning + N Test = 6.2
Recognition
S Learning + S Test = 14.3
S Learning + N Test = 12.7
N Learning + S Test = 12.7
N Learning + N Test = 14.3

Question 8

Conclusion

Answer 8

Participants performed better in the ‘matching conditions’ which provides support for context dependent memory (at least in terms of sound)