Context in memory is reconstructed based on retrieval questions

In context-dependent memory research, focal objects are by default ascribed to item whereas background scenes are considered the context. Questioning this assumption, it was proposed that context is reconstructed rather than encoded: any aspect of an event could become either item or context depending on the question asked. Here we provide evidence supporting this hypothesis across six experiments employing a context reinstatement paradigm. When the memory test focused on background scenes (Experiments 1-2), reinstating the original focal objects increased old responses to targets and lures. This effect remained when background scenes were task-irrelevant and focal objects task-relevant at encoding (Experiment 3). Finally, Experiments 4a-5 showed that, when objects are task-irrelevant at encoding, this effect exists but depends on the size of the objects and scenes on screen. Overall, these results support that context is reconstructed rather than encoded, although the perceptual properties of the stimuli and their relative salience at encoding can limit the effect of context on memory retrieval. This series of experiments shows that context in memory is reconstructed rather than encoded. When recognition pertained to background scenes in the context reinstatement paradigm, objects acted as context irrespective of their role during encoding.