Self-referential encoding does not benefit memory for prior remembering across changing contexts. Issue 9 (21st October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leppanen, Marcus L.; Navangul, Anaya S.; Feder, Gabriella I.; Jones, Dominoe A.; Kim, Kyungmi
• Is Part Of: Memory. Volume 29:Issue 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1176
• Page End: 1185
• Publication Date: 2021-10-21
• Subjects: Memory for prior remembering -- self-reference -- self-referential processing -- context -- cued recall; Memory -- Periodicals; 153.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/09658211.2021.1973036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-8211

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Changes in context across instances of memory retrieval have been shown to impair memory for acts of prior remembering. The present study examined how self-referential encoding influences memory for prior remembering that occurred with or without context change. At encoding, participants processed each target in cue-target word pairs in relation to themselves or another person. During an initial cued-recall test, targets were tested with either the studied cues or semantically related, but previously unseen cues. During a second cued-recall test, all targets were tested with the studied cues, and participants judged whether they remembered retrieving each target during the first test. Regardless of self/other-reference, semantic context change across the two tests impaired memory for prior remembering. Furthermore, the magnitude of this impairment was larger for strongly self-associated vs. other-associated targets. Our findings suggest that self-referential encoding does not benefit memory for prior remembering in the face of contextual change.