Chewing gum can produce context-dependent effects upon memory.
Two experiments examined whether chewing spearmint gum can affect the initial learning or subsequent recall of a word list. Comparing those participants in Experiment 1 who chewed gum at the learning or the recall phases showed that chewing gum at initial learning was associated with superior recall. In addition, chewing gum led to context-dependent effects as a switch between gum and no gum (or no gum and gum) between learning and recall led to poorer performance. Experiment 2 provided evidence that sucking gum was sufficient to induce some of the same effects as chewing.
Baker
Jess R
JR
School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales CF10 3YG, UK.
Bezance
Jessica B
JB
Zellaby
Ella
E
Aggleton
John P
JP
D000328:Adult; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time
D002638:Chewing Gum