Intrusions into script-like action sequences: A behavioral investigation

Prior knowledge can facilitate the learning of related material, while this new learning can itself modify the memory underlying that prior knowledge. Research on the flexibility of memory has concentrated on episodic memories (Hupbach et al., 2007), fear-related associations (Su et al., 2022), and categorical knowledge (Richter et al., 2019); little is known about the memories for structured action sequences. To address this, we trained participants on two minimal script-like action sequences containing repeated object pairs while manipulating two factors: the similarity between scripts (four vs. six repeated pairs) and the required action linking objects to target boxes into which they were to be moved (click vs. drag). We found that memory intrusions-recalling elements or subsequences from the later sequence when asked to recall the initial sequence-occurred not only for isolated elements but also as linked intrusions involving both object and location. These memory intrusions were more likely with six (vs. four) repeated pairs and when participants used the drag (vs. click) action. Experiment 2 tested whether the results of Experiment 1 could be replicated at the group level and assessed their stability across time at the individual level. While the basic results of Experiment 1 were replicated in Experiment 2, its results were less conclusive regarding whether memory intrusions reflect trait-like stability across time. Together, these findings demonstrated that intrusions into previously learned action sequences occur with new learning, highlighting the plasticity of memories involving script-like behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).