Competitive Semantic Memory Retrieval: Temporal Dynamics Revealed by Event-Related Potentials
Author
Summary, in English
Memories compete for retrieval when they are related to a common retrieval cue. Previous
research has shown that retrieval of a target memory may lead to subsequent retrievalinduced
forgetting (RIF) of currently irrelevant competing memories. In the present study,
we investigated the time course of competitive semantic retrieval and examined the neurocognitive
mechanisms underlying RIF. We contrasted two theoretical accounts of RIF by
examining a critical aspect of this memory phenomenon, namely the extent to which it
depends on successful retrieval of the target memory. Participants first studied categoryexemplar
word-pairs (e.g. Fruit—Apple). Next, we recorded electrophysiological measures
of brain activity while the participants performed a competitive semantic cued-recall task. In
this task, the participants were provided with the studied categories but they were instructed
to retrieve other unstudied exemplars (e.g. Fruit—Ma__?). We investigated the eventrelated
potential (ERP) correlates of retrieval success by comparing ERPs from successful
and failed retrieval trials. To isolate the ERP correlates of continuous retrieval attempts from
the ERP correlates of retrieval success, we included an impossible retrieval condition, with
incompletable word-stem cues (Drinks—Wy__) and compared it with a non-retrieval presentation
baseline condition (Occupation—Dentist). The participants’ memory for all the
studied exemplars was tested in the final phase of the experiment. Taken together, the
behavioural results suggest that RIF is independent of target retrieval. Beyond investigating
the mechanisms underlying RIF, the present study also elucidates the temporal dynamics
of semantic cued-recall by isolating the ERP correlates of retrieval attempt and retrieval success.
The ERP results revealed that retrieval attempt is reflected in a late posterior negativity,
possibly indicating construction of candidates for completing the word-stem cue and
retrieval monitoring whereas retrieval success was reflected in an anterior positive slow
wave.
research has shown that retrieval of a target memory may lead to subsequent retrievalinduced
forgetting (RIF) of currently irrelevant competing memories. In the present study,
we investigated the time course of competitive semantic retrieval and examined the neurocognitive
mechanisms underlying RIF. We contrasted two theoretical accounts of RIF by
examining a critical aspect of this memory phenomenon, namely the extent to which it
depends on successful retrieval of the target memory. Participants first studied categoryexemplar
word-pairs (e.g. Fruit—Apple). Next, we recorded electrophysiological measures
of brain activity while the participants performed a competitive semantic cued-recall task. In
this task, the participants were provided with the studied categories but they were instructed
to retrieve other unstudied exemplars (e.g. Fruit—Ma__?). We investigated the eventrelated
potential (ERP) correlates of retrieval success by comparing ERPs from successful
and failed retrieval trials. To isolate the ERP correlates of continuous retrieval attempts from
the ERP correlates of retrieval success, we included an impossible retrieval condition, with
incompletable word-stem cues (Drinks—Wy__) and compared it with a non-retrieval presentation
baseline condition (Occupation—Dentist). The participants’ memory for all the
studied exemplars was tested in the final phase of the experiment. Taken together, the
behavioural results suggest that RIF is independent of target retrieval. Beyond investigating
the mechanisms underlying RIF, the present study also elucidates the temporal dynamics
of semantic cued-recall by isolating the ERP correlates of retrieval attempt and retrieval success.
The ERP results revealed that retrieval attempt is reflected in a late posterior negativity,
possibly indicating construction of candidates for completing the word-stem cue and
retrieval monitoring whereas retrieval success was reflected in an anterior positive slow
wave.
Department/s
Publishing year
2016
Language
English
Publication/Series
PLoS ONE
Volume
11
Issue
2
Full text
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Topic
- Psychology
Keywords
- strength dependence
- retrieval-induced forgetting
- LPN
- ERP
- cued recall
- semantic memory
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1932-6203