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Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering

Author

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  • Julia Lifanov

    (University of Birmingham, Edgbaston)

  • Juan Linde-Domingo

    (Max Planck Institute for Human Development)

  • Maria Wimber

    (University of Birmingham, Edgbaston
    University of Glasgow)

Abstract

Memories are thought to undergo an episodic-to-semantic transformation in the course of their consolidation. We here test if repeated recall induces a similar semanticisation, and if the resulting qualitative changes in memories can be measured using simple feature-specific reaction time probes. Participants studied associations between verbs and object images, and then repeatedly recalled the objects when cued with the verb, immediately and after a two-day delay. Reaction times during immediate recall demonstrate that conceptual features are accessed faster than perceptual features. Consistent with a semanticisation process, this perceptual-conceptual gap significantly increases across the delay. A significantly smaller perceptual-conceptual gap is found in the delayed recall data of a control group who repeatedly studied the verb-object pairings on the first day, instead of actively recalling them. Our findings suggest that wake recall and offline consolidation interact to transform memories over time, strengthening meaningful semantic information over perceptual detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Lifanov & Juan Linde-Domingo & Maria Wimber, 2021. "Feature-specific reaction times reveal a semanticisation of memories over time and with repeated remembering," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:12:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-021-23288-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23288-5
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    Cited by:

    1. Marije ter Wal & Juan Linde-Domingo & Julia Lifanov & Frédéric Roux & Luca D. Kolibius & Stephanie Gollwitzer & Johannes Lang & Hajo Hamer & David Rollings & Vijay Sawlani & Ramesh Chelvarajah & Bernh, 2021. "Theta rhythmicity governs human behavior and hippocampal signals during memory-dependent tasks," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Catherine R. Walsh & Jesse Rissman, 2023. "Behavioral representational similarity analysis reveals how episodic learning is influenced by and reshapes semantic memory," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.

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