Putting Memory in Context: Dissociating memories by distinguishing the nature of context

Robertson, B-A.; Eacott, M.J.; Easton, A.

Abstract

In recent years, spontaneous recognition tasks have become commonplace methods of assessing memory in animals. Adaptations of these tasks allow us to look at the role of objects, contexts and spatial locations in memory. Recent findings have highlighted that not all types of contexts in these tasks rely on the same neural systems. Similarly, asking different questions about the same types of context can allow the dissociation of neural systems underlying these memories. Here we review the current position in how context is used in such tasks, and we consider the fundamental importance of clearly defining both the nature of the context being used, and the questions asked of it in order to fully appreciate the neural and cognitive mechanisms being studied in such tasks.

Citation

Robertson, B., Eacott, M., & Easton, A. (2015). Putting Memory in Context: Dissociating memories by distinguishing the nature of context. Behavioural Brain Research, 285, 99-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2014.10.045

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 29, 2014
• Publication Date: May 15, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 24, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 12, 2015
• Journal: Behavioural Brain Research
• Print ISSN: 0166-4328
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 285
• Pages: 99-104
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2014.10.045
• Keywords: Contextual cues, Rats, Humans, Memory, Episodic memory, Object recognition.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1450104