The hippocampus and contextual retrieval of information from memory: A theory1

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A theory which holds that information is normally stored within a specialized memory rather than the system immediately responsible for the performance of behavior is advanced. The transfer of information from storage to the system immediately responsible for performance, according to the theory, can occur independently of the occurrence of external stimuli. Usually such information transfer would be prompted by motivational cues and always result in anticipation of stimuli.

The hippocampus is regarded as part of a system responsible for determining which information is to be transferred from storage to the performance system. The effects of hippocampal ablation are explained in terms of the elimination of such transfer. A subsidiary system relying upon habit formation is held to be responsible for the learning of which hippocampally ablated animals are capable.

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    1

    This work was supported by a grant from the Denton Foundation. I thank Drs. Peter Bowes, Charles R. Hamilton, Leah Light, Eran Zaidel, and Joan Roach for their advice and criticism.

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