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Rapid Top-Down Control of Behavior Due to Propositional Knowledge in Human Associative Learning
Francisco J López1,2, Rafael Alonso1,2, David Luque3
1Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Málaga, Spain.
Plos One
|November 29, 2016
Summary
Propositional knowledge, which involves explicit understanding, can override learned associations even under high time pressure. This suggests that conscious awareness, not just automatic learning, guides behavior when cognitive demand is high.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Human associative learning is explained by propositional and associative processes.
- Propositional single-process models suggest explicit knowledge can influence behavior under cognitive load.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if propositional knowledge can control behavior under high time pressure.
- To test predictions of propositional single-process models of associative learning.
Main Methods:
- Participants learned cue-outcome relationships under varying time pressure.
- Verbal instructions informed participants about contingency changes (informed vs. uninformed conditions).
- Interference effects and instruction advantages were compared across time pressure groups.
Main Results:
- High time pressure increased interference from previously learned associations when no instruction was given.
- Time pressure did not affect the ability to use verbal instructions to update knowledge.
- An equivalent instruction advantage was observed in both high and low time pressure groups.
Conclusions:
- Propositional knowledge can override trial-by-trial learned associations, even under high cognitive demand.
- Results support a propositional single-process model of associative learning.
- Conscious awareness and explicit knowledge play a significant role in overriding automatic learning processes.
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