Shape of U: The Nonmonotonic Relationship Between Object-Location Memory and Expectedness

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Experimental Psychology
• Memory Research

Background:

• The schema-linked interactions between medial prefrontal and medial temporal lobe (SLIMM) model posits a U-shaped relationship between location expectancy and memory.
• Schemas are proposed to influence episodic memory encoding and retrieval.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the SLIMM model's prediction of a U-shaped memory function for object locations based on expectancy.
• To investigate whether different memory systems (recollection vs. familiarity) underlie memory at the extremes of the expectancy curve.

Main Methods:

• Utilized immersive virtual reality to present objects in locations varying in schema congruency.
• Employed location recall and forced-choice recognition tasks across four experiments with 137 adult participants.
• Applied Bayes factors to statistically evaluate predictions.

Main Results:

• Confirmed the U-shaped memory function: participants recalled locations better when they were highly expected or unexpected compared to neutral.
• Found that recollection, not familiarity, was associated with memory performance at both the highly expected and unexpected ends of the U-shape.
• Bayes factors provided strong evidence supporting the U-shaped memory curve and against distinct memory systems for expected versus unexpected locations.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the SLIMM model's prediction regarding the U-shaped relationship between location expectancy and memory accuracy.
• Memory for both expected and unexpected locations relies on recollection, challenging theories that differentiate memory systems based on expectancy.
• These results provide crucial constraints for understanding the role of schemas in shaping episodic memory.