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Updated: Apr 11, 2026

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The notion of contextual locking: Previously learnt items are not accessible as such when appearing in a less common
Amotz Perlman1, Yaakov Hoffman2, Joseph Tzelgov3
1a Department of Management , Bar-Ilan University , Ramat-Gan , Israel.
Abstract:
We examined the effect of context on the learning of spatial coding in four experiments. Two partially overlapping sets of stimuli, which had the very same stimulus-response spatial coding, were presented in unique contexts. Results show contextual locking-that is, response times to the very same item in a more common context (80%) were significantly shorter than those in a less common context (20%). Contextual locking was obtained both when the context was more salient (Experiments 1 and 2) and less salient (Experiments 3 and 4). In addition, results were obtained even when contextualization seemed less necessary (Experiments 2 and 4). Binding of information to context is discussed in relation to chunking, transfer effects, and practical applications pertaining to professional training.
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