Memory is inherently context-dependent. This study investigated leveraging context-dependence to optimize learning of challenging material using virtual reality (VR). Participants learned 80 foreign words in two phonetically similar languages, each language in either a unique VR context or the same context. Those learning in unique contexts showed reduced interference and improved one-week retention (92% vs 76%), but only if they experienced the VR contexts as real. fMRI confirmed that brain activity pattern reinstatement during retrieval was associated with improved recall. This demonstrates VR's potential for optimized learning through context-dependence and mental context reinstatement.

Joey Ka-Yee Essoe, Nicco Reggente, Ai Aileen Ohno, Younji Hera Baek, John Dell'Italia, Jesse Rissman