"In psychology, context-dependent memory is the improved recall of specific episodes or information when the context present at encoding and retrieval are the same."
The phenomenon where memory recall is better when the person is in the same context as when the information was learned.
Encoding: This refers to the process of taking in and storing information in the brain for future recall.
Retrieval: This is the process of accessing stored information from memory.
Contextual cues: These are environmental stimuli that are present during encoding and retrieval of memory and can facilitate retrieval of information later.
State-dependent memory: This refers to the phenomenon where memory retrieval is facilitated when a person's internal state during retrieval matches their internal state during encoding.
Mood congruence: This is the tendency for people to remember information that is congruent with their current mood.
Place cells: These are neurons in the hippocampus that fire in response to specific locations or environments, potentially playing a role in encoding context-dependent memories.
Episodic memory: This is memory for specific events or episodes in a person's life.
Spatial memory: This is memory for spatial relationships between objects or locations.
Semantic memory: This is memory for general knowledge and concepts.
Explicit memory: This refers to conscious and intentional retrieval of information from memory.
Implicit memory: This refers to unconscious and unintentional retrieval of information from memory.
Retroactive interference: This refers to the disruption of previously learned information by new information.
Proactive interference: This refers to the disruption of new information by previously learned information.
Transfer-appropriate processing: This is the idea that memory retrieval is most successful when the same mental processes are used during encoding and retrieval.
Consolidation: This is the process of stabilizing and strengthening memories over time.
State-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information when in the same internal state (e.g. emotional, cognitive, or physiological) as when the memory was formed.
Mood-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information when in the same emotional state as when the memory was formed.
Context-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information when in the same environment or context as when the memory was formed.
Time-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information at a specific time of day or week, such as in the morning or on Saturdays.
Location-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information when in the same location as when the memory was formed.
Interference-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information when external factors that interfered with the original memory have been removed.
Task-dependent memory: The ability to better remember information when the task performed when the memory was formed is similar or identical to the one being performed during recall.
Item-specific memory effects: The ability to better remember specific items in a list based on their unique features or characteristics.
Encoding specificity: The ability to better remember information when the encoding conditions match the retrieval conditions, such as stimuli or association.
Transfer-appropriate processing: The ability to better remember information when the processing being used during retrieval is similar or identical to the processing used during encoding.
"When events are represented in memory, contextual information is stored along with memory targets; the context can therefore cue memories containing that contextual information."
"It is not at all surprising that individuals often quite easily discover the lost item upon returning to the correct context."
"This concept is heavily related to the encoding specificity principle."
"The research literature on context-dependent memory describes a number of different types of contextual information that may affect recall such as environmental context-dependent memory, state-dependent learning, cognitive context-dependent memory, and mood-congruent memory."
"People try to systematically 'retrace their steps' to determine all of the possible places where the item might be located."
"Research has also shown that context-dependence may play an important role in numerous situations, such as memory for studied material, or events that have occurred following the consumption of alcohol or other drugs."
"One type of contextual information that may affect recall is environmental context-dependent memory."
"State-dependent learning is another type of contextual information that may affect recall."
"Cognitive context-dependent memory is a type of contextual information that may affect recall."
"Mood-congruent memory is another type of contextual information that may affect recall."
"Context-dependence may play an important role in memory for studied material."
"Context-dependence may play an important role in events that have occurred following the consumption of alcohol or other drugs."
"Improved recall refers to the enhanced ability to remember specific episodes or information when the context at encoding and retrieval are the same."
"Yes, the concept of context-dependent memory can be applied to everyday situations, such as losing and finding items."
"Yes, context-dependent memory is effective when the context present at encoding and retrieval are the same."
"When events are represented in memory, contextual information is stored along with memory targets; the context can therefore cue memories containing that contextual information."
"Context-dependent memory can affect various types of memories, including episodic memories and information recall."
"Yes, context-dependent memory is a commonly observed phenomenon, as individuals often discover lost items upon returning to the correct context."
"Yes, the encoding specificity principle is closely related to the concept of context-dependent memory."