Grant

Research method

Lab experiment

Design

Independent measures

Matching conditions

Silent study/Silent test, Noisy study/Noisy test

Mismatching conditions

Silent study/Noisy Test, Noisy study/Silent Test

Total sample number

39

Male participants

22 (+1 who was removed)

Female participants

17

No of items multiple choice

16

No of items short answer

10

Background noise

Tape recording from cafeteria

Article to learn

Psychoimmunology

Time to read article

As long as they need

Results on multiple choice test

Matching conditions = 14.3 Mismatching conditions = 12.7

Results on short answer test

Silent/Silent = 6.7 , Noisy/Noisy = 6.4, Silent/Noisy = 4.6, Noisy/Silent = 5.2

Conclusion

Studying and testing with matched noise conditions increased recall - supporting CONTEXT DEPENDENT MEMORY

Application/Conclusion

Students should study in silent conditions as they will be examined in silence. This should increase recall.