Encoding Specificity Principle

Definition

The encoding specificity principle is the idea that memory recall is influenced by the match between the cues present during encoding and those present during retrieval. In other words, remembering information is easier when the context at retrieval matches the context in which it was learned.

Related terms

Context-dependent Memory: This term refers to the phenomenon where memories are better retrieved when you are in a similar physical or emotional state as you were during encoding.

State-dependent Memory: This term describes how memories can be better recalled if your internal physiological state (such as being happy or sad) matches your state during encoding.

Cue-dependent Forgetting: This term refers to forgetting due to a lack of appropriate retrieval cues at the time of recall.