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Psychologists have found that remembering is easier when we do it under conditions that are similar to those that we originally learned in. If possible, study under conditions similar to those that will exist in the test situation. For example, study at a desk, rather than lying on the floor. Study under quiet conditions, rather than with the radio playing. Ideally, you should study in an environment that is as similar as possible to the environment in which you will take the test. And while you are taking the test, think about the environment in which you studied to retrieve information through context associations.
State-dependent learning refers to the phenomenon that we remember best when we are in the same state of consciousness that we were in when we originally learned the material (see chapter 5, "Sleep and Consciousness"). A number of studies have demonstrated that if a person learns while in a drug-induced altered state of consciousness, he or she will remember it most efficiently when in the same state. Of course, this also means that information you learn when in waking consciousness will be recalled best when you are in waking consciousness. Sometimes other influences (such as environmental cues) will outweigh the effects of state-dependent memory. Try to study when you are alert and in the same state of waking consciousness that you will be in when taking a test. A related phenomenon is the finding that emotional mood states can influence memory. Bower (1981) reported that subjects who were either sad or happy when they learned material recalled the information significantly better when they were later in the same mood. Bower suggested that this is why we are able to remember more negative experiences when we are depressed. Thus, you need to think positively when you are studying for and taking your exams. |
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