Hebb Repetition Effects in Complex and Simple Span Tasks Are Based on the Same Learning Mechanism
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| Title: | Hebb Repetition Effects in Complex and Simple Span Tasks Are Based on the Same Learning Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Claudia Araya (ORCID |
| Source: | Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. 2024 50(5):759-774. |
| Availability: | American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 16 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: | Short Term Memory, Long Term Memory, Repetition, Recall (Psychology), Serial Ordering, Task Analysis, Learning Processes, Young Adults, Alphabets |
| DOI: | 10.1037/xlm0001290 |
| ISSN: | 0278-7393 1939-1285 |
| Abstract: | The Hebb repetition effect shows improvement in serial recall of repeated lists compared to random nonrepeated lists. Previous research using simple span tasks found that the Hebb repetition effect is limited to constant uninterrupted lists, suggesting chunking as the mechanism of list learning. However, the Hebb repetition effect has been found in complex span tasks, which challenges the chunking explanation, as successive list items are separated by distractor processing, possibly interfering with the unified representations. We tested the possibility that Hebb repetition learning arises from chunking in simple span, but from position--item associations in complex span. In a series of five experiments, we found evidence that contradicts that hypothesis. Results show that (a) Hebb repetition learning in a complex span task can be transferred to a simple span task; (b) Hebb repetition learning from a complex span task cannot be transferred to a partially repeated simple span task; (c) partial repetition in a complex span task does not lead to learning; (d) Hebb repetition learning from a simple span task can be transferred to a complex span task; and (e) repeating the distractors in complex span has no impact on the Hebb repetition effect. These results suggest that the mechanism underlying the Hebb repetition effect in simple and complex span tasks is the same and points at the creation of chunks while excluding the distractors from the long-term memory representation. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1420474 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The Hebb repetition effect shows improvement in serial recall of repeated lists compared to random nonrepeated lists. Previous research using simple span tasks found that the Hebb repetition effect is limited to constant uninterrupted lists, suggesting chunking as the mechanism of list learning. However, the Hebb repetition effect has been found in complex span tasks, which challenges the chunking explanation, as successive list items are separated by distractor processing, possibly interfering with the unified representations. We tested the possibility that Hebb repetition learning arises from chunking in simple span, but from position--item associations in complex span. In a series of five experiments, we found evidence that contradicts that hypothesis. Results show that (a) Hebb repetition learning in a complex span task can be transferred to a simple span task; (b) Hebb repetition learning from a complex span task cannot be transferred to a partially repeated simple span task; (c) partial repetition in a complex span task does not lead to learning; (d) Hebb repetition learning from a simple span task can be transferred to a complex span task; and (e) repeating the distractors in complex span has no impact on the Hebb repetition effect. These results suggest that the mechanism underlying the Hebb repetition effect in simple and complex span tasks is the same and points at the creation of chunks while excluding the distractors from the long-term memory representation. |
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| ISSN: | 0278-7393 1939-1285 |
| DOI: | 10.1037/xlm0001290 |
