You're watching one movie with a friend (Toy Story 4) and start thinking about another (The Matrix). You reference something from The Matrix and your friend tells you they were just thinking about that same movie. Your friend asks if you think it was just a coincidence that you were both thinking about the Matrix while watching another movie or whether there might be a logical explanation. After discussing some ideas, you realize that the connection may have had something to do with the fact one actor (Keanu Reeves) is in both movies. What concept could potentially explain why you were both thinking about the Matrix while watching Toy Story 4?
A)mood-congruent recall
B)episodic memory
C)spreading activation
D)explicit memory
E)flashbulb memory

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The concept of spreading activation explains how thoughts about one subject, such as an actor in Toy Story 4, can trigger related thoughts or memories, such as another movie the actor is in (The Matrix). This cognitive process allows for the association between different ideas and memories in the brain, leading to the simultaneous thought of The Matrix by both individuals.

You're Watching One Movie with a Friend (Toy Story 4)