A model for contextual fluctuation
type: Item
instance of: scholarly article
title: A model for contextual fluctuation
zbMATH Open document ID: 0667.92020
DOI: 10.1016/0022-2496(89)90029-1
author: Ger-Jan M. Mensink
author: Jeroen G. W. Raaijmakers
published in: Journal of Mathematical Psychology
publication date: 1989-01-01T00:00:00Z
review text: Current theories of human memory frequently assume that the probability of recall depends on the similarity of the test context to the study context. A model for contextual fluctuation is developed that is based on Stimulus Sampling Theory. The model assumes that ``context'' can be represented by a set of so-called contextual elements. Part of this set represents the current context. There is a continuous fluctuation between the active contextual elements (the current context) and the inactive contextual elements. During study, part of the current context is conditioned to (stored in) the memory trace. The model may be used to derive predictions for the overlap between the study and test contexts. The model is developed in the context of interference paradigms. It is shown that the model leads to a number of interesting predictions. The incorporation of this model in the SAM theory [the second author and \textit{R. M. Shiffrin}, Psychol. Rev. 88, 93- 134 (1981)] enables that theory to predict such phenomena as spontaneous recovery and proactive inhibition.
Mathematics Subject Classification ID: 91E99
zbMATH DE Number: 4093240
zbMATH Keywords: human memory
zbMATH Keywords: probability of recall
zbMATH Keywords: contextual fluctuation
zbMATH Keywords: Stimulus Sampling Theory
zbMATH Keywords: active contextual elements
zbMATH Keywords: inactive contextual elements
zbMATH Keywords: interference paradigms
zbMATH Keywords: SAM theory
zbMATH Keywords: spontaneous recovery
zbMATH Keywords: proactive inhibition
MaRDI profile type: Publication
full work available at URL: 0022-2496(89)90029-1
OpenAlex ID: W2023134961
description: scientific article; zbMATH DE number 4093240