A novel approach for modelling subsequent memory reports by separating decidedness, recognition and confidence

Abstract

In episodic memory studies, memory performance is often assessed by presenting participants with previously seen old items and previously unseen new items in order to assess both, subjects' hit rates and false alarms. Sometimes, subsequent memory responses are collected as recognition-confidence ratings, e.g. on a scale ranging from "definitely new" over "undecided" to "definitely old". Despite higher informational value, this is problematic, as it conflates recognition (i.e. one rather than the other end of the scale) with confidence (i.e. outer rather than inner area of the scale). Here, we describe a computational model which separates three cognitive processes of episodic memory retrieval from reported recognition-confidence ratings, namely (i) decidedness, i.e. the tendency to give a neutral or non-neutral response; (ii) recognition, i.e. the ability to label previously seen items as "old"; and (iii) confidence, i.e. the act of labeling an item as "definitely" rather than "probably" old or new. We empirically validate our model by recovering memory-related differences between young and older adults (N = 106 + 153 = 259), especially the over-confidence phenomenon in older adults as well as superior memory performance and meta-cognitive accuracy for young adults. Interestingly, we find that decidedness does not vary between old vs. new items and young vs. older subjects, thus constituting a third process distinct from recognition and confidence.

Reduced expression of fMRI subsequent memory effects with increasing severity across the Alzheimer’s disease risk spectrum

“…In a direct follow-up to the present study, we describe the extent to which these scores can further differentiate between the diagnostic groups in the clinical sample described here (Soch et al, 2024). Furthermore, we are currently working on improved computational modeling of the subsequent memory reports, which could be used in the future to differentiate participant groups based on purely behavioral response patterns (Soch et al, 2022).…”

“…Furthermore, we are currently working on improved computational modeling of the subsequent memory reports, which could be used in the future to differentiate participant groups based on purely behavioral response patterns (Soch et al, 2022).…”

“…Note that a thorough statistical analysis of the between-group differences in behavioural response frequencies and subsequent memory reports will be the focus of a later publication (seeSoch et al, 2022 for methodology).…”