Investigating the Effects of Temporal Duration Structure on Recognition Memory

In order to function optimally within our environment, we continuously extract temporal patterns from our experiences and formulate expectations that facilitate adaptive behavior. Given that our memories are embedded within spatiotemporal contexts, an intriguing possibility is that mnemonic processes are sensitive to the temporal structure of events. To test this hypothesis, we manipulated interval duration at encoding in a series of behavioral experiments. Our findings revealed enhanced recognition memory (d’) for stimuli that were explicitly encoded within a temporally structured versus unstructured framework. Encoding information within a temporally structured framework was also vital in reducing the negative effects of proactive interference and was linked to a greater ability to recollect contextual details associated with the study event. Rhythmic temporal structure also enhanced recognition memory for incidentally encoded information. Collectively, these results support the possibility that we possess a greater capacity to learn and subsequently remember temporally structured information.M.A.2018-02-26 00:00:0