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Intentional control and implicit sequence learning.

Leonora Wilkinson1, David R Shanks

  • 1Department of Psychology, University College London, UK. l.wilkinson@ion.ucl.ac.uk

Journal of Experimental Psychology. Learning, Memory, and Cognition
|February 26, 2004
PubMed
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Participants can control sequence knowledge expression, contradicting previous claims. This suggests that learned sequences are explicit and consciously accessible.

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Learning

Background:

  • Implicit sequence learning is often considered automatic and unintentional.
  • Prior research suggested that sequence knowledge expression may be uncontrollable under specific conditions.
  • Investigating the intentional control over acquired sequence knowledge is crucial for understanding learning mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the claim that sequence knowledge expression cannot be intentionally controlled.
  • To examine whether participants can both express and suppress learned sequences.
  • To determine the nature of information acquired during sequence learning.

Main Methods:

  • Three experiments involving speeded localization tasks with deterministic or probabilistic sequences.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Participants trained on sequences and then performed free-generation or trial-by-trial generation tests.
  • Inclusion and exclusion instructions were used to assess intentional control over sequence expression.

    • Main Results:

    • Participants successfully expressed sequence knowledge under inclusion instructions.
    • Participants were also able to avoid expressing sequence knowledge under exclusion instructions.
    • Results were consistent across different training durations and methodologies.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings challenge the notion that sequence knowledge expression is always unintentional.
    • Evidence supports the view that acquired sequence information is explicit in nature.
    • Intentional control over the expression of learned sequences is possible.