Noise and context-dependent memory

Thirty-five undergraduate volunteers were presented with four lists of 28 words each. The words were presented via slide projector for 3 sec each, and subjects were given 90 sec after each list to recall as many words as possible. Two of the lists were presented under normal background (55-dB) noise conditions, and the other two with 95-dB(A) noise present. Recall for one of the 55-dB and one of the 95-dB lists was at 55 dB, and recall for the other two lists was at 95 dB. Results indicated that noise during initial exposure to the word lists impaired subsequent recall, but that noise during recall neither impaired nor enhanced performance.

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