Question

explain practical implications of state dependent memory by Gordon Bower? explain each point in detail.

Answer 1

State dependent memories are memories that are triggered or enhanced by a person's current mood because of the relationship to memories formed when you were in a similar state. It is the phenomenon where people remember more information if their physical or mental state is the same at time of encoding and time of recall. State-dependent memory is heavily researched in regards to its employment both in regards to synthetic states of consciousness (such as under the effects of psychoactive drugs) as well as organic states of consciousness such as mood. While state-dependent memory may seem rather similar to context-dependent memory, context-dependent memory involves an individual's external environment and conditions (such as the room used for study and to take the test) while state-dependent memory applies to the individual's internal conditions (such as use of substances or mood).

he most commonly discussed studies on state-dependent memory have dealt with alcohol usage. If people were under the influence of alcohol while they encoded memories, they were more likely to recall those memories while under the influence of alcohol.

But state-dependent memory involves more than just booze. Other substances, as well as other internal factors, can play a part in memory retrieval.

Common factors that influence the "state" you are in include:

• Alcohol
• Nicotine
• Ritalin
• Mood
• Pain
• Fear
• Hormone levels
• Circadian rhythms

Other studies involving caffeine and Ritalin have also supported the idea of state-dependent memory. Nicotine also has some research that it provides a powerful state-dependent effect.

However, people do not have to have controlled substances in their bodies to encode state-dependent memory. Researchers are continuing to look at how mood and internal pain may play a part in state-dependent memory. These theories are controversial, but it’s not hard to make the connection between how “training” the neural pathways in our brain could create these types of memories. The neurotransmitters that influence our mood also create the neural pathways in our brain.

State-dependent memory deals with a state of consciousness, but there are similar phenomena that sound and act in a similar method of state-dependent memory. Context-dependent memory, for example, is the phenomenon in which memories can be retrieved if the person finds themselves in the same room as they were when they encoded the memory. External factors, like the room in which someone was in or smells that they took in at the time of encoding, play a role here. If you've ever walked into a room and forgotten what you entered for, you may be able to remember your intent if you walk back into the original room you entered.

State-dependent memory has widespread effects that can play roles in our everyday lives.For example, state-dependence can affect performance on a test or in a job interview. It can affect your memory for where you left your car keys. However, the power of state-dependent memory can also be harnessed to improve performance in school for those with learning disabilities or outcomes in therapy.

State-dependent memory has implications on effectiveness of psychological treatment. Evidence has also been found for the idea that an individual's state (in regard to substance) can influence the impact of psychological treatment. Patients responded better to phobia exposure therapy from one treatment session to another when they were consistent in their states of consciousness. This study found that patients who had similar levels of caffeine in their system at each session or who consistently had no caffeine in their system exhibited greater rates of improvement with fewer phobia relapses than patients who came in at various states of caffeine influence from one treatment session to another. These results show that state-dependent learning can be used to the advantage of those undergoing psychological treatment. By remaining consistent in their state of consciousness during sessions, patients can improve the likelihood of their success and decrease the possibility of relapse. Future directions for this kind of research might test substances other than caffeine for similar effects on patient performance during psychological treatment.