Multiple contexts and memory retrieval at three months.

Abstract

Studies of adults have shown that the contextual dependence of memory retrieval can be alleviated by training in multiple contexts. In the present studies with 3-month-old infants, retention was disrupted when infants were trained in one context and tested in another, but not when they were trained in multiple contexts prior to testing in a novel context. The retention advantage of multiple learning contexts was observed after 3 days in a simple forgetting paradigm (Exp. 1) and after 14 days in a reactivation paradigm (Exp. 2). These findings demonstrate that although the setting in which an event occurs is an important determinant of memory retrieval at 3 months, its protective function can be overridden by common experiences in varied settings.