State dependent learning refers to encoding memories in a way that is associated with the environment, so that recall is highest in the same environment. This is known as encoding specificity. Examples showed higher recall when subjects were tested in the same state as during learning, such as underwater vs on land, right after waking vs later in the day, or in the original classroom vs a new one. The military uses state dependent learning in their training philosophy of "training as you fight" by conducting field exercises and classroom training to encode memories in operational environments.

1. State Dependent Learning
March 18, 2013
Denny, Adam

2. Defined
• encoding the memory with the
environment so that when recalling
takes place, it is more probable that
the same environment will produce
higher recall
• State dependent learning is also known
as encoding specificity

3. Graphed for Simplicity
Environment + Subject/Question
Answer/Output

4. Underwater Verses Ground Learning

5. Underwater Verses Ground Learning
Water Land

6. The Gentle Awakening
• Later, some subjects
were tested immediately
upon wakening.
• Others were tested later
in the day when they
were more awake.
• Those that had been
tested right after wake
up had a higher
response rate.

7. Classroom Swap
• Students at Universities
were taught in a classroom
• Students were split into two
groups and half were sent to
take the test in another
classroom
• Those that took the test in
the other classroom did not
do as well as those that
tested in the same
classroom

8. Military Relationship
• Basis for “train as
you fight”
• Whatever you learn
in one environment
is going to illicit that
response
• Field training/
Classroom training

10. Summary
• Environment + Information = recall
• This is called State dependent learning
• Underwater verses ground learning
• The Gentle Awakening
• Classroom Swap
• Military Uses
• Field exercises
• Training Courses (Classroom)

11. Where to Study?

12. ???
• Something to think about: Internal
environment such as Drug levels
• what are you on when you learn, verses
what are you on when you test (caffeine,
nicotine, nutrition?)
• Any Questions??