Aim
- to test context-dependent memory
- do we recall better if we learn in the same or different environment? (Eg. Silent + silent or noisy + silent)
Research Method
Lab experiment
+ : highly controlled environment, eliminates extraneous variables, ez to replicate so reliable
- : lack of realism, difficult to set up lab procedures where ppl would behave as they would irl
Independent measures
Sample
- 39 ppts: 17f + 23m
- 17 to 56 yrs
- opportunity sample
- 8 psychology student recruited 5 acquaintances (1 omitted)
- in American uni
Variables
- IV: silent or noisy conditions, matching or mismatching conditions
- DV: ppts performance on recall (10 short answer Qs) + recognition (16 multiple choice Qs)
- CV: headphones, answer short Qs first
Procedure
MATERIALS: headphones, Psycho immunology article, 2 tests
1) Read article
2) Independent measures ~ silent condition; told won’t hear anything
3) Noisy condition ~ would hear moderate bg noise, told to ignore
4) Reading times recorded by researcher then had 2 min break
5) Did short ans Qs first then multiple choice in ppts set conditions
6) Ppts debriefed, lasted 30mins
Quantitative Results
Mean correct answers
- silent-silent: 6.7sa + 14.3mc
- noisy-noisy: 6.2sa + 14.3mc
- silent/noisy: 4.6sa + 12.7mc
- noisy/silent; 5.4 + 12.7
Type of data
Quantitative
no. correct answers:
> can draw table/bar chart
> can easily analyse
> can easily compare
> lacking insight/reasoning
Results
- ppts spent roughly equal amounts of time reading materials in all groups
- no sig diff in recall scores whether materials were learned/retrieved in noisy or silent environment
- sig diff between matching + mismatching conditions
> studying in same environment produced better results
Conclusions
- no overall effect of noise on performance
- context dependency effects for newly learned meaningful material —> studying/testing in same environment leads to enhanced performance
IMPLICATIONS:
> students likely to perform better in exams if they study in quiet environment
> evidence
Context dependent memory
Improved recall of info when context present at encoding (learning) + retrieval are the same
Links to cognitive area ;
- internal mental processes eg. memory
- computer analogy
> input (noise) –> () –> output (scores)
Validity
- high internal validity ; controls ensure IV only impacted DV ~ tested what it was set out to test
- good external validity ; can be applied to learning surroundings since conditions = similar
Reliability
- high reliability, replicable
- standardized procedure ;
- extraneous variables limited by controls
> same 16 short ans Qs first then 10 multiple choice, all wore headphones
Sampling bias/Ethnocentrism
- opportunity: quick/easy to collect, some bias ; same community
- ✕ generalise ; ✕ everyone uni students
- small sample but m & f + age range ✓
- one uni in one American area
- BUT cognitive abilities don’t vary much between cultures
Ethics
- ✕ deception, opportunity + volunteered
- ✓ pfh, ic, rtw, debrief after, c
Practical applications
- noise has ✕ effect on effective recall
- same learning + recall conditions = best performance
- helps w revision methods, exams
