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Neural Correlates of Memory Interference at Encoding – An ERP Study

Larsson, Tim LU (2018) PSYP01 20172
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Proactive interference is the phenomena where previously learned information interferes with the learning of new information, causing a reduction in retrieval of the new information. This phenomenon is studied with the AB/AC paradigm, in which participants encode two word-pair lists (B/C) that share a common word-cue (A). The common finding in studies using this paradigm is a reduced accuracy for A-C word-pairs compared to a control list (D-E). The neural correlates of this effect have been well established at the stage of retrieval, but less is known about the neural correlates at the stage of encoding, which was the focus of the present study. Thirty-seven subjects performed a memory task using the AB/AC paradigm in an encoding situation... (More)
Proactive interference is the phenomena where previously learned information interferes with the learning of new information, causing a reduction in retrieval of the new information. This phenomenon is studied with the AB/AC paradigm, in which participants encode two word-pair lists (B/C) that share a common word-cue (A). The common finding in studies using this paradigm is a reduced accuracy for A-C word-pairs compared to a control list (D-E). The neural correlates of this effect have been well established at the stage of retrieval, but less is known about the neural correlates at the stage of encoding, which was the focus of the present study. Thirty-seven subjects performed a memory task using the AB/AC paradigm in an encoding situation where first-person videos were used, to increase the ecological validity of the paradigm. Electrophysiological activity was recorded throughout the experiment using 64 electroencephalogram scalp electrodes mounted in an elastic cap. The results revealed the predicted behavioral effect of interference as seen in a reduced accuracy for the A-C word-pairs compared to the D-E list word-pairs. Neural data revealed an early effect of interference and a robust effect of successful encoding in a later time window that correlated negatively with the amount of interference participants suffered from encoding the overlapping associate. There were no late effects related to action monitoring, as was hypothesized. Limitations and future directions are discussed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Larsson, Tim LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20172
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Memory, Proactive interference, Electroencephalogram, Interference, Encoding, Cued recall
language
English
id
8935801
date added to LUP
2018-02-28 09:09:09
date last changed
2018-02-28 09:09:09
@misc{8935801,
  abstract     = {{Proactive interference is the phenomena where previously learned information interferes with the learning of new information, causing a reduction in retrieval of the new information. This phenomenon is studied with the AB/AC paradigm, in which participants encode two word-pair lists (B/C) that share a common word-cue (A). The common finding in studies using this paradigm is a reduced accuracy for A-C word-pairs compared to a control list (D-E). The neural correlates of this effect have been well established at the stage of retrieval, but less is known about the neural correlates at the stage of encoding, which was the focus of the present study. Thirty-seven subjects performed a memory task using the AB/AC paradigm in an encoding situation where first-person videos were used, to increase the ecological validity of the paradigm. Electrophysiological activity was recorded throughout the experiment using 64 electroencephalogram scalp electrodes mounted in an elastic cap. The results revealed the predicted behavioral effect of interference as seen in a reduced accuracy for the A-C word-pairs compared to the D-E list word-pairs. Neural data revealed an early effect of interference and a robust effect of successful encoding in a later time window that correlated negatively with the amount of interference participants suffered from encoding the overlapping associate. There were no late effects related to action monitoring, as was hypothesized. Limitations and future directions are discussed.}},
  author       = {{Larsson, Tim}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Neural Correlates of Memory Interference at Encoding – An ERP Study}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}