Recognition Memory is Improved by a Structured Temporal Framework During Encoding

Abstract

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, in a series of behavioral experiments we manipulated the regularity of interval durations at encoding to create temporally structured and unstructured frameworks. Our findings revealed enhanced recognition memory (d′) for stimuli that were explicitly encoded within a temporally structured vs. unstructured framework. Encoding information within a temporally structured framework was also associated with a reduction in the negative effects of proactive interference and was linked to greater recollective recognition memory. Furthermore, rhythmic temporal structure was found to enhance 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.

Rhythmic Temporal Structure at Encoding Enhances Recognition Memory

“…Temporal expectations can be generated in different ways, such as by informative associations between events, by varying the probability of when an event will occur, or the presence of a pattern or rhythm, and these expectations can be generated automatically or voluntarily (Nobre & van Ede, 2018). Such temporal expectation has previously been shown to provide a benefit to memory, and the behavioural findings reported here are in line with the study by Thavabalasingam et al (2016), who manipulated temporal structure by presenting stimuli in a fixed repeating sequence of presentation timings (i.e., 100 ms; 500 ms; 1000 ms; 2000 ms). In their study the presentation of items in the sequence condition was predictive, meaning that participants were able to learn to expect items to be presented at particular points in time, and they reported greater recognition for items presented in sequence relative to those with random onset timings.…”

“…Only three of the 24 participants reported awareness of the different onset timings, and recognition scores were similar in aware and unaware participants. A similar finding was reported by Thavabalasingam et al (2016), in which recognition was greater following structured than unstructured presentation timings regardless of whether or not participants were aware. This may suggest an implicit mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of temporal structure on memory.…”

“…Alternatively, it is possible that rhythmic encoding is associated with recollection-based processing, which, unlike familiarity-based processing, leads to detailed conscious memory of specific items (for discussions of the dual process theory of recognition see Jacoby, 1991;Rotello, Macmillan, & Reeder, 2004;Wixted, 2007;Yonelinas, 2002;Yonelinas & Levy, 2002). Indeed, Thavabalasingam et al (2016) reported greater recollection associated with items studied in a structured relative to an unstructured temporal framework, with no difference in familiarity. Additionally, the LPC effect was associated with rhythmic encoding in the present study, and a number of studies have linked this to recollection and the FN400 to familiarity (e.g., Curran, 2000;Curran & Cleary, 2003;Duarte et al, 2004;Rugg & Curran 2007;.…”

“…The potential influence of rhythm on memory is further supported by observations that the hippocampus predominately oscillates at a theta frequency (Jacobs, 2014), and that specific neurons in the hippocampus are involved in the tracking of time (Kraus et al, 2013). Thavabalasingam, O'Neil, Zeng, and Lee (2016) recently reported on the effect of temporal structure on recognition memory -the capacity to judge whether a specific item has been presented before in a particular context. Temporal structure was manipulated by varying the regularity of the inter-stimulus interval (ISI) in sequences of presentations of four items (ABCD).…”

Environmental rhythms orchestrate neural activity at multiple stages of processing during memory encoding: Evidence from event-related potentials

“…A large body of research has 26 demonstrated that exposure to environmental rhythms influences perception and action by 27 enhancing processing at specific moments of time that align with the rhythmic beat [1-3]. More 28 recently, there has been growing interest in how environmental rhythms influence higher-order 29 cognitive processes such as memory formation [4][5][6][7]. In a series of studies, Johndro and 30 colleagues found that the timing of individual events within a rhythmic temporal stream 31 influenced memory formation [8].…”