Context has long been recognised as a key factor in memory retrieval, yet the ways in which it has been studied as well as the effects it produces are diverse. This variability raises a fundamental question: when and why do context effects emerge? In this project, we aim to systematically examine the conditions under which context influences memory performance. We manipulate several theoretically motivated dimensions that may determine whether context effects arise and test their impact across three core paradigms of memory research: cued recall, free recall, and recognition. By comparing how these dimensions shape retrieval across tasks, we hope to clarify not only when context exerts measurable effects, but also whether our current conception of “context” itself requires refinement.