Grant et al

Grant et al

1. Theories the study is based on + background

   • Context dependent memory: where memory is improved (e.g. recalling information) if you learn and remember information in the same context.
     • Important of context: Context is important for learning new information
     • Ability to differentiate between context: Recalling information is made easier if you can recall the context. If you can't differentiate it will have a negative effect on you
   • The environment plays a big factor is how well the memory is remembered and recalled
     • Context effects the ability to recall information, better than recognition tasks.
   • Context dependent memory can be helpful when remembering information for exams. If the test and study environment is the same, it may have a positive effect on recalling the information.
   • The study habits of students can be having a negative effect on their test scores.

2. Research method

   • It was a lab experiment, that used independent measures design.
     • IV: if the participants read in silent or noisy conditions.
     • IV (2): if the participant was tested in matching or mismatching conditions
     • DV: participants performance on a short answer, recall test, and on a multiple choice test.

3. Sample

   • 8 people were experimenters, who recruited 5 acquaintances to take part.
   • 39 people took part.
   • 17 years - 56 years
   • 17 female - 23 male (one participants results were removed from the experiment)

4. Outline of the procedure

   • Each participant had their own cassette player and headphone. The cassettes used were exactly the same, they contained background noise from a university. In the tape words and phrases could occasional be heard as well as the general hum of conversation. This was played at a moderate sound level. Even those in the silent conditions had to have the headphones on, just no sound playing.
   • They all read a 2 page article on psychoimmunology.
   • After this they were given 16 multiple choice questions and a 10 short answer questions. They were given the short answer test first, so that they could check that information was being recalled from the article, not from the multiple choice questions.
   • The recording times were recorded of all the participants .
   • Some of the participants were matched conditions: read and tested in both silent or both noisy. or they were matched in mismatch conditions: read in silent but tested in noisy or vice versa.

5. Key findings

   • Participants in all groups spent the same amount of time reading, roughly
   • Matching conditions scored slightly higher than those in mismatched conditions
   • There was no overall effect on noise on performance

6. Conclusions

   • It is best to study and be tested in the same environment. Therefore it is best to study in silent conditions because tests are in silent conditions.