Contextual Distinctiveness

Contextual distinctiveness refers to the fact that we are better able to remember rare or unusual events compared to common events. This also applies to memory for facts and any type of stimuli. The stimuli that stand out as different in a given context are more likely to be remembered. For example, if we are shown a list of words, and a few of the words are printed in bright pink compared to the rest printed in black, we’ll have an easier time recalling the pink words.