Current Projects
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The Hebb Repetition Effect for Tactile Sequences
The Hebb Repetition Effect (or Hebb Effect) concerns the incidental learning of order memory following the surreptitious repetition of a sequence (Hebb, 1961). In a typical Hebb study, participants will receive a series of order memory trials. Each trial will involve the presentation of a sequence of items (for example, a series of digits). At test participants are required to recall those items in the same order as presentation The interesting element of the Hebb task is that every few trials participants are given the same sequence. Across the course of the experiment (e.g. 30 trials), performance on the repeated Hebb sequence improves relative to performance on the novel/non-repeated sequences. This improvement is found even if participants are unaware of the repetitions. The mechanism underpinning the Hebb effect is thought to be important in other elements of cognition (e.g. word learning). Across a series of studies we are examining whether this order learning mechanism works in a similar way across other stimulus types. Such similarities might suggest that order memory is a general process and not influenced by the type of material being learnt (i.e. words, odours, sounds). In these studies we are looking at whether the Hebb effect is found in memory for tactile stimulation. |
In one study (above) participants are touched on their fingers in a particular order. At test they must move their fingers in the order in which they were probed. In another study (below), participants receive a series of touches on different places on the arm. At test, they must touch those locations in that same order. In both studies participants are blindfolded.
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Visual Hebb Repetition Effects
Using the Hebb repetition procedure described above, we are investigating conditions under which this effect is found with visual stimuli. We are also using visual stimuli to examine whether Hebb repetition effects can be found with identity repetitions despite the visual stimuli differing across repetitions.
Using the Hebb repetition procedure described above, we are investigating conditions under which this effect is found with visual stimuli. We are also using visual stimuli to examine whether Hebb repetition effects can be found with identity repetitions despite the visual stimuli differing across repetitions.
Random Order Reconstruction (ROR)
Traditional measures of serial order memory (e.g. immediate serial recall and serial order reconstruction) are restricted to certain types of stimuli (e.g. verbal and visual). Over a series of studies we have trialled a novel serial order memory task called random order reconstruction (ROR).
The main benefits of this task are twofold. First, it enables cross-stimuli comparisons in sequence memory. Specifically, we are looking at whether neglected areas of memory (e.g. smell) produce similar patters of memory to more extensively tested areas of memory. Second, it allows a more controlled assessment of the effects of output order on memory.
Traditional measures of serial order memory (e.g. immediate serial recall and serial order reconstruction) are restricted to certain types of stimuli (e.g. verbal and visual). Over a series of studies we have trialled a novel serial order memory task called random order reconstruction (ROR).
The main benefits of this task are twofold. First, it enables cross-stimuli comparisons in sequence memory. Specifically, we are looking at whether neglected areas of memory (e.g. smell) produce similar patters of memory to more extensively tested areas of memory. Second, it allows a more controlled assessment of the effects of output order on memory.
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Cross-Modal Ranschburg Effects
The Ranschburg effect (also known as response inhibition) concerns the failure to remember repeated items within a sequence. The effect is linked to a suppression mechanism that prevents perseveration of recalled items. We are examining conditions under which this effect occurs and whether the effect operates in a similar way across different types of stimuli. |
Olfactory Working Memory
We are also examining how olfactory working memory operates and in particular the extent to which olfactory working memory works differently to that of other types of memory. PhD studies by Andy Moss are exploring factors which predict olfactory memory (e.g. name-ability, familiarity, age of first exposure etc.) .
We are also examining how olfactory working memory operates and in particular the extent to which olfactory working memory works differently to that of other types of memory. PhD studies by Andy Moss are exploring factors which predict olfactory memory (e.g. name-ability, familiarity, age of first exposure etc.) .
