Reconsolidation and the Role of Retrieval Context in Human Episodic Memory Recall

Abstract

The reconsolidation effect shows that memory can be reactivated and returned to a labile state, where it can be modified and reconsolidated to include new information. This study investigates the role of recall context in memory reconsolidation. Participants were taught a set of 20 objects in one location (context A) and a second set 48 hours later in a new location (context B) after either receiving a reminder of Day 1 or receiving no reminder. Fortyeight hours later they were asked to recall one set of objects while in context B. As anticipated, a one-way effect was demonstrated in which some participants misattribute Day 2 items to Day 1. However, for participants recalling Set 1, some individuals intruded Set 2 objects regardless of receiving a reminder while others did not. Individual differences in the types of retrieval cues used for recall may explain this ambiguous result.