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Event-related potential evidence for separable automatic and controlled retrieval processes in proactive interference.

Bergström, Zara M, O'Connor, Richard J, Li, Martin K-H, Simons, Jon S (2012) Event-related potential evidence for separable automatic and controlled retrieval processes in proactive interference. Brain Research, 1455 (1). pp. 90-102. ISSN 0006-8993. (doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2012.03.043) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:30238)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2012.03.043

Abstract

Interference between competing memories is a major source of retrieval failure, yet, surprisingly little is known about how competitive memory activation arises in the brain. One possibility is that interference during episodic retrieval might be produced by relatively automatic conceptual priming mechanisms that are independent of strategic retrieval processes. Such priming-driven interference might occur when the competing memories have strong pre-existing associations to the retrieval cue. We used ERPs to measure the neural dynamics of retrieval competition, and investigated whether the ERP correlates of interference were affected by varying task demands for selective retrieval. Participants encoded cue words that were presented either two or four times, paired either with the same or different strongly associated words across repetitions. In a subsequent test, participants either selectively recalled each cue's most recent associate, or simply judged how many times a cue had been presented, without requiring selective recall. Interference effects on test performance were only seen in the recall task. In contrast, ERPs during test revealed an early posterior positivity for high interference items that was present in both retrieval tasks. This early ERP effect likely reflects a conceptual priming-related N400 reduction when many associations to a cue were pre-activated. A later parietal positivity resembling the ERP correlate of conscious recollection was found only in the recall task. The results suggest that early effects of proactive interference are relatively automatic and independent of intentional retrieval processes, consistent with suggestions that interference can arise through conceptual priming.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.03.043
Uncontrolled keywords: Episodic retrieval; Interference; Control; Conceptual priming; Event-related potential; N400
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Zara Bergstrom
Date Deposited: 03 Sep 2012 19:05 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:08 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/30238 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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