Rapidly measuring the speed of unconscious learning: amnesics learn quickly and happy people slowly

Article

Dienes, Zoltan, Baddeley, Roland J. and Jansari, A. 2012. Rapidly measuring the speed of unconscious learning: amnesics learn quickly and happy people slowly. PLoS ONE. 7 (3), p. e33400.
AuthorsDienes, Zoltan, Baddeley, Roland J. and Jansari, A.
Abstract

Background: We introduce a method for quickly determining the rate of implicit
learning.
Methodology: The task involves making a binary prediction for a probabilistic
sequence over 10 minutes; from this it is possible to determine the influence of events
of a different number of trials in the past on the current decision. This profile directly
reflects the learning rate parameter of a large class of learning algorithms including
the delta and Rescorla-Wagner rules. To illustrate the use of the method, we compare
a person with amnesia with normal controls and we compare people with induced
happy and sad moods.
Conclusions: Learning on the task is likely both associative and implicit. We argue
theoretically and demonstrate empirically that both amnesia and also transient
negative moods can be associated with an especially large learning rate: People with
amnesia can learn quickly and happy people slowly.

Keywordsamnesia; learning
JournalPLoS ONE
Journal citation7 (3), p. e33400
ISSN1932-6203
Year2012
Accepted author manuscript
License
CC BY-ND
Web address (URL)http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0033400
http://hdl.handle.net/10552/1454
Publication dates
Print23 Mar 2012
Publication process dates
Deposited22 Feb 2012
FunderEconomic and Social Research Council
Permalink -

https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/85z57

Log in to edit

Download files

Accepted author manuscript
2012_Daines_Baddeley_Jansari.pdf
License: CC BY-ND

  • 161
    total views
  • 184
    total downloads
  • 1
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Effect of mindfulness meditation on brain–computer interface performance
Tan, Lee-Fan, Dienes, Zoltan, Jansari, A. and Goh, Sing-Yau 2014. Effect of mindfulness meditation on brain–computer interface performance. Consciousness and Cognition. 23, pp. 12-21.
Comparing implicit and synaesthetic number-space associations: visuospatial and verbal SNARC effects
Jonas, C., Spiller, M., Jansari, A. and Ward, Jamie 2013. Comparing implicit and synaesthetic number-space associations: visuospatial and verbal SNARC effects. Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology.
Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Brain-Computer Interface Performance
Tan, Lee-Fan, Dienes, Zoltan and Jansari, A. 2014. Effect of Mindfulness Meditation on Brain-Computer Interface Performance. Consciousness and Cognition. 23 (1), pp. 12-21.
Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment
Jansari, A., Froggatt, Daniel, Edginton, Trudi and Dawkins, L. 2012. Investigating the impact of nicotine on executive functions using a novel virtual reality assessment. Addiction. 108 (5), pp. 977-984.
Detecting the onset of accelerated long-term forgetting: evidence from temporal lobe epilepsy
McGibbon, Terence and Jansari, A. 2012. Detecting the onset of accelerated long-term forgetting: evidence from temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuropsychologia. 51 (1), pp. 114-122.
Bilateral redundancy gain and callosal integrity in a man with callosal lipoma: a diffusion-tensor imaging study
Roser, Matthew E., Corballis, Michael C., Jansari, A., Fulford, Jon, Benattayallah, Abdelmalek and Adams, William M. 2012. Bilateral redundancy gain and callosal integrity in a man with callosal lipoma: a diffusion-tensor imaging study. Neurocase. 18 (3), pp. 185-198.
Visual experience facilitates allocentric spatial representation
Pasqualotto, Achille, Spiller, M., Jansari, A. and Proulx, Michael J. 2012. Visual experience facilitates allocentric spatial representation. Behavioural Brain Research. 236 (1), pp. 175-179.
Cannabis-related deficits in real-world memory
Montgomery, C., Seddon, A.L., Fisk, J.E., Murphy, P.N. and Jansari, A. 2012. Cannabis-related deficits in real-world memory. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 27 (2), pp. 217-225.
The effects of a modest dose of alcohol on executive functioning and prospective memory
Montgomery, C., Ashmore, K.V. and Jansari, A. 2011. The effects of a modest dose of alcohol on executive functioning and prospective memory. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 26 (3), pp. 208-215.
Identifying facial emotions: valence specific effects and an exploration of the effects of viewer gender
Jansari, A., Rodway, P. and Goncalves, Salvador 2011. Identifying facial emotions: valence specific effects and an exploration of the effects of viewer gender. Brain and Cognition. 76 (3), pp. 415-423.
Assessing the functional significance of ecstasy-related memory deficits using a virtual paradigm
Montgomery, Catharine, Hatton, Nicholas P., Fisk, John E., Ogden, Ruth S. and Jansari, A. 2010. Assessing the functional significance of ecstasy-related memory deficits using a virtual paradigm. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental. 25 (4), pp. 318-325.
When “long-term memory” no longer means “forever”: analysis of accelerated long-term forgetting in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy
Jansari, A., Davis, Kavus, McGibbon, Terence, Firminger, Stephanie and Kapur, Narinder 2010. When “long-term memory” no longer means “forever”: analysis of accelerated long-term forgetting in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy. Neuropsychologia. 48 (6), pp. 1707-1715.
A case of selective impairment of encyclopaedic numerical knowledge or ‘when December 25th is no longer Christmas day, but ‘20 + 5’ is still 25
Cappelletti, Marinella, Jansari, A., Kopelman, Michael and Butterworth, Brian 2008. A case of selective impairment of encyclopaedic numerical knowledge or ‘when December 25th is no longer Christmas day, but ‘20 + 5’ is still 25. Cortex. 44 (3), pp. 325-336.