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Episodic memory enhancement versus impairment is determined by contextual similarity across events
- Source :
- Cox, W R, Dobbelaar, S, Meeter, M, Kindt, M & van Ast, V A 2021, ' Episodic memory enhancement versus impairment is determined by contextual similarity across events ', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, vol. 118, no. 48, e2101509118, pp. 1-9 . https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2101509118, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(48):e2101509118. National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 118(48):e2101509118, 1-9. National Acad Sciences
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- National Acad Sciences, 2021.
-
Abstract
- For over a century, stability of spatial context across related episodes has been considered a source of memory interference, impairing memory retrieval. However, contemporary memory integration theory generates a diametrically opposite prediction. Here, we aimed to resolve this discrepancy by manipulating local context similarity across temporally disparate but related episodes, and testing the direction and underlying mechanisms of memory change. A series of experiments show that contextual stability produces memory integration and marked reciprocal strengthening. Variable context, conversely, seemed to result in competition such that new memories become enhanced at the expense of original memories. Interestingly, these patterns were virtually inverted in an additional experiment where context was reinstated during recall. These observations (i) identify contextual similarity across original and new memories as an important determinant in the volatility of memory, (ii) present a challenge to classic and modern theories on episodic memory change, and (iii) indicate that sensitivity of context-induced memory changes to retrieval conditions may reconcile paradoxical predictions of interference and integration theory.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
Memory, Episodic
Interference theory
interference
Social Sciences
Context (language use)
integration
Social Environment
Young Adult
Similarity (psychology)
reconsolidation
Humans
Episodic memory
Netherlands
spatial context
Spatial contextual awareness
Memory Disorders
Multidisciplinary
Recall
episodic memory
Variable (computer science)
Mental Recall
Memory consolidation
Female
Psychology
Cognitive psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10916490 and 00278424
- Volume :
- 118
- Issue :
- 48
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....92750ffe741e7bc1ecd37038722b98d2