context reinstatement and encoding variability

Learning to Learn

what is encoding variability?

encoding repeated information in more than one way (often in more than one context)

used to explain the spacing effect

builds robust representations by providing more paths to retrieval

what is context reinstatement?

matching the encoding and retrieval context

facilitates memory

encoding specificity: most effective retrieval cues are the ones encoded specifically with the to-be-remembered information

environment contains cues- Godden and Baddeley

what is transfer appropriate processing?

relationship between type of processing at encoding and test

if it is appropriate- good transfer between learning and test there is good retrieval

recognition failure of recallable words- Tullving and Thomson (1973)?

encoding: target words encoded with weakly related cue words

recognition test: pps were trying to recognise targets generated in the context of strongly related cue words

context mismatch: poor memory

recall test: weakly related cue words were presented again

context reinstatement: good memory

results: recall was successful but recognition failed

levels of processing?

a way of thinking about memory in terms of how deeply processed information is during encoding

semantic (meaning)- deep: durable memories

phonemic (sound)- medium: less durable memories

orthography (letters)- shallow: fragile memories that decay quickly

Morris, Bransford and Franks (1977)- levels of processing?

pps encoded nouns with an orienting task of either: deep processing to shallow processing

standard recognition test and rhyme recognition test

results: deep semantic encoding leads to better standard recognition and worse rhyme recognition

memory for encoding depends on type of test

Jacoby (1983)?

also demonstrated that memory is dependent not just on how the information is encoded (deep vs shallow) but on whether testing draws on encoding processes

generation effect: self-generating information leads to better memory than reading it

like levels of processing, only describes the encoding: ignored how memory is tested

results: generating vs reading words leads to better standard recognition but leads to worse perceptual identification

in education?

many learning websites give poor advice, such as suggesting to learners that they should study at the same time and place

Smith et al: showed that learning information in two different environmental contexts recalled information more than if learning took place in the same context

demonstrates the role of encoding variability

the interplay of encoding variability and context reinstatement when practice testing?

encoding variability: testing is more beneficial with increased variability as long as all material is retrieved

context reinstatement: retrieval during practice deteriorates with increased variability thereby limiting the benefits