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Related Experiment Videos

A common mechanism underlying choice's influence on preference and memory.

Sarah DuBrow1, Elizabeth A Eberts2, Vishnu P Murty3

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.

Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|August 21, 2019
PubMed
Summary

Giving individuals control over learning choices enhances memory. This study found that the value derived from making choices, not just the choice itself, significantly boosts long-term memory consolidation.

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Behavioral Economics

Background:

  • Individual control in learning is linked to improved memory, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Sense of agency is a potential factor, but difficult to isolate from environmental consequences.
  • Understanding the role of choice in memory requires paradigms that separate agency from outcome.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of choice on memory performance by isolating the effect of agency.
  • To examine how choice influences cue preference and its relationship with memory enhancement.
  • To explore the underlying value-based mechanisms connecting choice, preference, and memory consolidation.

Main Methods:

  • A controlled experimental paradigm comparing a choice condition (participants select cues) with a fixed condition (cues are assigned).
Keywords:
ChoiceConsolidationDecision makingEpisodic memory

Related Experiment Videos

  • Measurement of immediate and delayed (24-h) recognition memory for items associated with chosen vs. assigned cues.
  • Assessment of cue preference ratings before and after encoding to quantify choice-induced preference changes.
  • An individual differences approach pooling data from multiple behavioral studies.

    • Main Results:

    • Recognition memory was significantly higher for items encountered in the choice condition compared to the fixed condition.
    • Cues selected more frequently showed increased preference in the choice condition, but decreased preference in the fixed condition.
    • A positive correlation was observed between choice-induced memory enhancement and preference change for delayed memory, but not immediate memory.

    Conclusions:

    • Choice enhances memory through a shared value-based mechanism that also increases cue preference.
    • The value derived from making choices plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, particularly for long-term retention.
    • These findings highlight the importance of agency and subjective value in optimizing learning processes.