Episodic memory processes modulate how schema knowledge is used in spatial memory decisions

Abstract

Schema knowledge can dramatically affect how we encode and retrieve memories. Current models propose that schema information is combined with episodic memory at retrieval to influence memory decisions, but it is not known how the strength or type of episodic memory (i.e., unconscious memory versus familiarity versus recollection) influences the extent to which schema information is incorporated into memory decisions. To address this question, we had participants search for target objects in semantically expected (i.e., congruent) locations or in unusual (i.e., incongruent) locations within scenes. In a subsequent test, participants indicated where in each scene the target had been located previously, then provided confidence-based recognition memory judgments that indexed recollection, familiarity strength, and unconscious memory for the scenes. In both an initial online study (n=133) and replication (n=59), target location recall was more accurate for schema-congruent than incongruent locations, but importantly, this effect was strongest for unconscious memory, decreased with familiarity strength, and was eliminated entirely for recollected scenes. Moreover, when participants recollected an incongruent scene but did not correctly remember the target location, they were still biased away from congruent regions—suggesting that detrimental schema bias was suppressed in the presence of recollection even when precise target location information was not remembered. The results indicate that episodic memory modulates how schemas are used: Schema knowledge contributes to spatial memory judgments primarily when episodic memory fails to provide precise information, and recollection can override schema bias completely.

Creative people use memory differently: Divergent thinking modulates how episodic memory is combined with semantic knowledge

“…We then separately examined each episodic memory process and their interactions with schema congruency. We found that, in line with prior work (Ramey et al, 2021), recollection suppressed schema effects in the sample overall (Figure 2). That is, when scenes were recollected, there was no significant effect of schema congruency on target distance, t(4188) =1.845, p=.07, d=.057, such that schema information no longer influenced spatial accuracy.…”

“…To probe effects of familiarity strength, we examined the linear gradient of familiarity responses from "sure new" to "sure old." As in prior work (Ramey et al, 2021), the effects of schema congruency on spatial accuracy were reduced by familiarity such that as familiarity strength increased, schema congruency effects decreased, β=-.16, t(7000)=-7.84, p<.0001. AUT score was not significantly related to differences in how familiarity strength influenced spatial accuracy overall, β=.01, t(4588)=.87, p=.39, nor in how familiarity strength interacted with schema congruency effects, β=.01, t(6951)=.73, p=47.…”

“…rather than floating in space). The spatial distributions of target locations were similar between scene conditions (for details, see Ramey et al, 2021).…”

“…Recent work also suggests that semantic knowledge and episodic memory may compete with each other, such that stronger episodic memory reduces the influence of semantic meaning on attentional deployment via eye movements and reduces the influence of schema knowledge on spatial memory decisions in scenes (Ramey et al, 2021). These latter effects also vary depending on the episodic memory process involved: Unconscious memory outside of awareness as well as a vague sense of familiarity exert some suppression of schema knowledge, whereas vivid recollection is uniquely able to eliminate schema effects entirely (Ramey et al, 2021). These three episodic memory processes have been shown to be both functionally and neurally distinct in prior work (Eichenbaum et al, 2007;Voss et al, 2010;Yonelinas, 2002), but it is not yet known how they relate to divergent thinking or even creativity more generally.…”

“…First, in light of prior work showing that episodic specificity inductions improve the fluency of divergent thinking (Madore et al, 2015), it is possible that differences in how semantic knowledge interacts with recollection, which is uniquely able to support memory for details, would be particularly related to divergent thinking performance. This could lead to differences in how recollection influences the use of semantic knowledge, such that divergent thinking may modulate the extent to which recollection suppresses schema congruency effects on spatial accuracy (Ramey et al, 2021). Moreover, given findings of the hippocampus being involved in divergent thinking (Madore et al, 2019), we hypothesized that divergent thinking may be most strongly related to how hippocampus-based memory-namely recollection, and perhaps unconscious memory (Eichenbaum et al, 2007;Hannula & Greene, 2012)-is combined with semantic knowledge.…”