Fear-related state dependent memory

Abstract

State dependent memory (SDM) refers to superior performance when information is retrieved in the same emotional state in which it was learned. Certain conditions generate this effect more reliably - including internal learning tasks, cue-free retrieval, and strong, stable emotional states with associated arousal. This study assesses whether SDM occurs in relation to states of fear and relaxation when these conditions are in place. We induced fear or relaxation in spider- or snake-fearful undergraduate participants (N = 54). Those who were in the same state during learning and later retrieval recalled more learned words than did those who were in different states on the two occasions. This provides support for the existence of SDM under certain constraints.