Abstract
Context effects in recognition memory were examined by manipulating the semantic integration of sentential contexts. Subjects studied words embedded in congruous, incongruous, and anomalous sentences and were tested for recognition of the targets in either the same or changed contexts. Recognition was impaired if the test item appeared in a new sentence, and the extent of the decrement was greatest for congrous sentences. The results suggest that consistence with past experience affects the integration of the representation, and that the stronger the integration, the more difficult it is to recognize the target in a new context. The data are discussed in terms of a relative specificity of encoding effect.
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The present report is based on a masters thesis submitted to Rutgers University by the first author. The research was supported in part by Rutgers Research Council and Biomedical Grants to the second author.
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Baker, L., Santa, J.L. Semantic integration and context. Memory & Cognition 5, 151–154 (1977). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209207
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03209207