Neural retrieval processes occur more rapidly for visual mental images that were previously encoded with high-vividness

Author:

Gjorgieva Eva12ORCID,Morales-Torres Ricardo12,Cabeza Roberto12,Woldorff Marty G123

Affiliation:

1. Duke University Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, , Durham, NC 27708 , United States

2. Duke University Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, , Durham, NC 27708 , United States

3. Duke University Departtment of Psychiatry, , Durham, NC 27708 , United States

Abstract

Abstract Visual mental imagery refers to our ability to experience visual images in the absence of sensory stimulation. Studies have shown that visual mental imagery can improve episodic memory. However, we have limited understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying this improvement. Using electroencephalography, we examined the neural processes associated with the retrieval of previously generated visual mental images, focusing on how the vividness at generation can modulate retrieval processes. Participants viewed word stimuli referring to common objects, forming a visual mental image of each word and rating the vividness of the mental image. This was followed by a surprise old/new recognition task. We compared retrieval performance for items rated as high- versus low-vividness at encoding. High-vividness items were retrieved with faster reaction times and higher confidence ratings in the memory judgment. While controlling for confidence, neural measures indicated that high-vividness items produced an earlier decrease in alpha-band activity at retrieval compared with low-vividness items, suggesting an earlier memory reinstatement. Even when low-vividness items were remembered with high confidence, they were not retrieved as quickly as high-vividness items. These results indicate that when highly vivid mental images are encoded, the speed of their retrieval occurs more rapidly, relative to low-vivid items.

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience,Cognitive Neuroscience

Reference61 articles.

1. A review of alpha activity in integrative brain function: fundamental physiology, sensory coding, cognition and pathology;Başar;Int J Psychophysiol,2012

2. Imagery value and its effects on verbal memory: a review;Cornoldi;Arch Psicol Neurol Psichiatr,1982

3. Vividness of mental imagery: individual variability can be measured objectively;Cui;Vis Res,2007

4. Brain potentials of recollection and familiarity;Curran;Mem Cogn,2000

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3