When does context influence recognition memory?

TLDR

Hewitt distinguished intrinsic context, directly involved in encoding, from extrinsic context, arbitrary learning features; both influence recall, but recognition effects have been seen only with intrinsic context. The study contrasts land and underwater environments to investigate why recognition shows no context effect while recall does. Participants learned 36 words on land or underwater, then attempted to recognize them from a 72‑word list presented in the same or opposite environment. Unlike a prior recall study, no context dependency emerged in recognition, prompting discussion of intrinsic versus extrinsic context distinctions.

Abstract

Hewitt (1977) has distinguished intrinsic context, which is directly involved in the encoding of material and extrinsic context comprising such arbitrary features of the learning situation as environment of learning. While both types of context influence recall, with better performance when the original context is reinstated, recognition effects have been observed only with intrinsic context. The present study uses the contrast between the land and underwater environments to explore this apparent discrepancy. Subjects learned lists of 36 words either on land or under water, and subsequently tried to recognize them from a list of 72 words presented in either the same or the alternative environment. In contrast to an earlier recall study, no trace of context dependency was observed. Implications for the distinction between intrinsic and extrinsic context are discussed.