Katie Perry
10/18/19
Blog Post #2
Josh Wede
Encoding Specificity & State Dependent Memory
In lecture 10, we learned about the concepts of encoding specificity and state dependent memory. Encoding specificity is when your memory is best when the condition of encoding matches the conditions of retrieval. For example, if you learn something while underwater, the chance you recall it is better if you are in the same condition of being underwater. It would be harder to retrieve if you were on dry land, because of encoding specificity. State dependent memory is very similar to encoding specificity. State dependent memory is described as which memory retrieval is most efficient when an individual is in the same state of consciousness as they were when the memory was formed. For example, not being able to remember something you encoded while you are sober, while you are intoxicated. It can even be vice versa as well; you can better retrieve a memory drunk if that memory was encoded when you were in the same state of intoxication. I have witnessed both concepts in real life, without knowing they had a name to it. At family parties, my uncle drinks and he will remember where things were at that he had misplaced the last time he was in that state. That is an example of state-dependent memory that I had witnessed. I have experienced the concept of encoding specificity myself though. In high school, I did better on tests where I studied in the room where I was going to take the test in. I noticed that I had done better on the previous tests when I had studied in class, or in the same room. Every time I had the opportunity to study in the Health room, I did because the theory of encoding specificity helped me retrieve information I had studied when it came to testing time. Both storage and retrieval theories are ones that I noticed in real life and have even experienced first hand.