Encoding and retrieval processes in human memory

该研究计划包括一系列研究，以阐明人类记忆中的编码和提取过程。 实验主要分为两个方面：第一，研究认知水平上的基本编码和检索机制;第二，研究这些机制和过程中与成人年龄相关的变化。 此外，我将继续与进行神经成像研究的同事合作，以确定注意力，记忆和学习的神经相关性。 四个主要理论观点指导本方案。 首先，我并不认为记忆被分为不同的系统，而是假设从抽象（“语义”）到高度具体（“情节”）的表征都有一定程度的具体性;我计划收集更多关于这一点的证据。 第二，我将探讨老年人对特定信息有特殊困难的可能性（例如，名称，情节细节）。 第三，我将开展研究，探讨“巩固”的概念。第四，我将评估“工作记忆”更准确地描述为与一个人的一套专业知识图式相关的一套特定领域的过程。 相关的实验工作将操纵编码和提取的条件;一些研究将通过使用分散注意力来模拟衰老。 工作记忆的实验将考察桥牌专家。 最后，我还将与罗特曼研究所的研究人员合作，他们使用神经成像方法来探索记忆编码和提取的机制。

The proposed research program consists of a series of studies to elucidate the processes of encoding and retrieval in human memory. The experiments are in two main areas; first, studies of basic encoding and retrieval mechanisms at the cognitive level, and second, studies of adult age-related changes in these mechanisms and processes. Additionally, I will continue to collaborate with colleagues conducting neuroimaging studies to specify the neural correlates of attention, memory and learning. Four main theoretical points guide the present program. First, rather than think of memory as divided into separate systems, I postulate degrees of specificity running from abstract ("semantic") to highly specific ("episodic") representations; I plan to gather more evidence on this point. Second, I will explore the possibility that older adults have particular difficulty with specific information (e.g., names, episodic detail). Third, I will run studies to explore the notion of 'consolidation.' Fourth, I will evaluate the idea that 'working memory' is more accurately described as a set of domain-specific processes related to a person's set of expert knowledge schemas. The associated experimental work will manipulate conditions at encoding and retrieval; some studies will mimic aging by using divided attention. The experiments on working memory will examine bridge-playing experts. Finally, I will also collaborate with researchers at the Rotman Institute who use neuroimaging methods to explore mechanisms of memory encoding and retrieval.