State-Dependent Learning and False/Normal Memory

David Guppenberger

State-Dependent Learning: state-dependent learning is a phenomenon in which the retrieval of information is better if the subject is in the same sensory context and physiological state as during the encoding phase (Shulz, Sosnik, Ego, Haidarliu, & Ahissar, 2000). You are more likely to remember something you learned if you are in the same physical and mental state as when you recall the information.

Memory: Memory is the retention of an experience. It is a process by which an individual will be able to recall information that they had encountered in the past. There are three stages of memory: encoding, storage, and retrieval.

False Memory: False memory is a phenomenon that occurs when an individual recalls something that they had not actually been exposed to. For example, when a person reads a list of words and when asked to recall these words, they believe they remember a word that was not actually on the list.

Article 1

Lowe, G. (1986). State-dependent learning effects with a combination of alcohol and nicotine. Psychopharmacology, 89, 105-107.

Summary: Congruent situations of state-dependent learning produce better recall, while incongruent situations produce decreased recall.

Article 2

Gelfand, H., O’Brien, D.M., Ross, A.R., & Smith, J.M. (1999). False Memories May Not Be For Real.

Summary: This aspect of the study suggests that aiding memory will reduce the chances of remembering something that was not there, which has implications to false memory.

Article 3

Pesta, B.J., Murphy, M. D., & Sanders, R.E. (2001). Are emotionally charged lures immune to false memory? Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition, 27, 328-338.

Summary: High levels of false recall when using word lists. Illustrates how false memory can be created when using word lists.

My study: Does state-dependent learning have an effect on false memory?

2 x 2 x 2 x 2

IV: state-dependent learning (congruent and incongruent situations)

DV1: False memory (the number of words recalled not on the list)

DV2: Memory (the number of words correctly recalled from the list)

Hypothesis: It is hypothesized that people in a congruent situation (music-music) will have better memory then compared to people in an incongruent situation (music-no music). It is also expected that false memory will increase for incongruent situations as compared to congruent situations.

		Recall
		Music	No music
Learning	Music	30	10
	No music	10	30
		Memory
		Recall
		Music	No music
Learning	Music	10	30
	No music	30	10
		False memory