19 research outputs found
The SPECTRA Study: Validating a New Memory Training Program based on the Episodic Specificity Induction to Promote Transfer in Older Adults
Some complex cognitive activities impacted by aging (future thinking, problem-solving, creative thinking) have been shown to rely on episodic retrieval, suggesting that cognitive interventions aiming to improve retrieval have the potential to induce transfer effects to these activities. Prior studies have shown that a brief one-session technique called Episodic Specificity Induction (ESI) can transiently improve episodic retrieval and induce transfer effects to complex tasks that rely on episodic retrieval in older adults. In the present proof-of-concept study, we assessed whether a training program consisting of repeated practice of the ESI technique can improve episodic retrieval and transfer to complex tasks. Fifteen healthy older adults completed a six-session intervention where they received repeated ESI practice. Before and after the intervention, nearest transfer effects were assessed using free recall, near transfer effects using recognition and associative recognition, and far-transfer effects using mean-ends problem-solving and divergent creative thinking. Before the intervention, typical ESI effects were observed (better performance after an ESI than after a control task), indicating that the ESI operated as expected in our sample. When examining the intervention effects, performance was increased after the intervention on free recall and recognition (nearest- and near-transfer) as well as problem-solving and divergent creative thinking (far transfer). These results indicate that an intervention relying on the ESI technique can produce both near and far transfer. These findings support the use of the ESI in the design of interventions that could improve retrieval and have a broad impact on a range of complex tasks
For a re-creative memory : Understanding the functioning and induction of the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of knowledge in an embodied and situated approach
Dans certaines situations, il est crucial de pouvoir accĂ©der rapidement et avec exactitude au souvenir dâune expeÌrience speÌcifique, tandis que dans dâautres situations, il importe plus dâaccĂ©der aÌ une connaissance gĂ©nĂ©rale formĂ©e aÌ partir de multiples expĂ©riences. Ces connaissances, tant speÌcifiques que gĂ©nĂ©rales, doivent toutefois ĂȘtre adaptĂ©es aÌ la situation dans laquelle elles sont requises. Sinon, les consĂ©quences peuvent ĂȘtre dĂ©sastreuses (e.g., confondre une personne innocente avec lâagresseur, confondre un champignon toxique avec un champignon comestible). LâefficacitĂ© de la meÌmoire doit alors ĂȘtre optimale dans un grand nombre de circonstances. Le prĂ©sent travail de thĂšse propose dâĂ©tudier les facteurs qui influencent lâefficacitĂ© mnĂ©sique. Il porte sur les mĂ©canismes qui sous-tendent lâaccĂšs aux connaissances, et sur les facteurs qui influencent ces mĂ©canismes. Ces mĂ©canismes sont envisagĂ©s comme Ă©tant soit reproductifs, soit (re)constructifs, soit re-creÌatifs. Le prĂ©sent travail de thĂšse vise Ă justifier lâintĂ©rĂȘt dâune conception re-crĂ©ative de la meÌmoire fondĂ©e sur les approches incarnĂ©es et situĂ©es et sur les modĂšles aÌ traces multiples, qui postulent une Ă©mergence dynamique des connaissances aÌ partir des mĂ©canismes dâun unique systĂšme mnĂ©sique ouÌ les connaissances sont ancrĂ©es dans leurs propriĂ©tĂ©s modales essentiellement sensorimotrices. Ce travail met lâaccent sur la dynamique des mĂ©canismes responsables de lâĂ©mergence des connaissances, autrement appelĂ©e la dynamique de simulation sensorimotrice, qui est supposĂ©e ĂȘtre diffĂ©rente selon le type de connaissance Ă©mergente. Elle est dite speÌcifique lorsquâelle conduit Ă la re-creÌation de lâĂ©tat neuronal associeÌ aÌ une expeÌrience speÌcifique et aÌ lâĂ©mergence de souvenirs, et non-speÌcifique lorsquâelle conduit Ă la re-creÌation du type dâĂ©tat neuronal associeÌ aÌ une catĂ©gorie dâexpĂ©riences similaires et aÌ lâĂ©mergence de connaissance gĂ©nĂ©rales. LâhypothĂšse dĂ©fendue est que la dynamique de simulation dans une situation donnĂ©e pourrait ĂȘtre influencĂ©e par la dynamique de simulation antĂ©rieure dans une situation rĂ©cente, et diffĂ©remment selon si ces dynamiques sont concordantes ou non. Quatre Ă©tudes ont eÌteÌ conduites en utilisant un paradigme original dâinduction, dans lequel lâadministration prĂ©alable dâune taÌche impliquant une dynamique speÌcifique (taÌche dâinduction speÌcifique) amĂ©liore les performances mnĂ©siques dans une taÌche subsĂ©quente impliquant une dynamique similaire. LâhypothĂšse dĂ©fendue eÌtait que lâeffet bĂ©nĂ©fique dâinduction venait dâune concordance des dynamiques de simulation. LâEÌtude 1 (ISE FR) a permis de traduire et valider en Français le paradigme dâinduction speÌcifique. LâEÌtude 2 (ISE DVN) a testeÌ et confirmeÌ que le paradigme permettait bien de cibler la simulation sensori-motrice aÌ travers la suppression des effets bĂ©nĂ©fiques dâinduction speÌcifique par la preÌsentation dâun masque visuel dynamique pendant le rappel des deÌtails de courtes videÌos. LâEÌtude 3 (SIMS ISE) a permis dâengendrer grĂące Ă lâinduction speÌcifique une rĂ©duction des erreurs de meÌmoire dans les situations ouÌ celles-ci eÌtaient les plus nombreuses, (i.e., lorsque la distinctivitĂ© des traces mnĂ©siques Ă©tait faible). LâEÌtude 4 [(Mis)Match] a permis de montrer des effets de concordance des dynamiques dans une taÌche de catĂ©gorisation (taÌche non-speÌcifique) et de non-concordance des dynamiques dans une taÌche de rappel spatial (taÌche speÌcifique), aprĂšs une induction non-speÌcifique (catĂ©gorielle). Ces rĂ©sultats plaident pour lâimportance fondamentale de la dynamique de simulation dans lâeÌtude du fonctionnement mnĂ©sique. Ils constituent les fondations dâun nouveau principe mnĂ©sique dâadĂ©quation de la dynamique de simulation, et ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives de recherche et de dĂ©veloppement dâinterventions cognitives visant Ă amĂ©liorer lâefficacitĂ© mnĂ©sique, aÌ destination notamment des personnes ĂągĂ©es avec et sans trouble cognitif.In some situations, it is crucial to be able to quickly and accurately access the memory of a specific experience, while in other situations it is more important to access general knowledge formed from multiple experiences. However, this knowledge, both specific and general, must be adapted to the situation in which it is required. Otherwise, the consequences can be disastrous (e.g., confusing an innocent person with the aggressor, confusing a toxic mushroom with an edible mushroom). The efficiency of memory must then be optimal in a large number of circumstances. The present thesis proposes to study the factors that influence memory efficiency. It focuses on the mechanisms underlying access to knowledge, and on the factors that influence these mechanisms. These mechanisms are considered to be either reproductive, (re)constructive, or re-creative. The present thesis work aims at justifying the interest of a re-creative conception of memory based on embodied and situated approaches and on multi-trace models, which postulate a dynamic emergence of knowledge from the mechanisms of a single memory system where knowledge is anchored in its essentially sensorimotor modal properties. This work focuses on the dynamics of the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of knowledge, otherwise known as sensorimotor simulation dynamics, which is assumed to be different according to the type of emerging knowledge. It is said to be specific when it leads to the re-creation of the type of neuronal state associated with a specific experience and the emergence of memories, and non-specific when it leads to the re-creation of the type of neuronal state associated with a category of similar experiences and the emergence of general knowledge. The defended hypothesis is that the simulation dynamics in a given situation could be influenced by the previous simulation dynamics in a recent situation, and differently depending on whether these dynamics are concordant or not. Four studies were conducted using an original induction paradigm, in which the prior administration of a task involving a specific dynamic (specific induction task) improves memory performance in a subsequent task involving a similar dynamic. The defended hypothesis was that the beneficial effect of induction came from a concordance of the simulation dynamics. Study 1 (ISE FR) allowed to translate and validate the specific induction paradigm into French. Study 2 (ISE DVN) tested and confirmed that the paradigm allowed to target the sensorimotor simulation by suppressing the beneficial effects of specific induction by presenting a dynamic visual mask during the recall of short video details. Study 3 (SIMS ISE) showed that specific induction reduced memory errors in situations where memory errors were most prevalent (i.e., when the distinctiveness of memory traces was low). Study 4 [(Mis)Match] showed effects of matching dynamics in a categorization task (non-specific task) and of mismatching dynamics in a spatial recall task (specific task), after a non-specific (categorical) induction. These results plead for the fundamental importance of simulation dynamics in the study of memory functioning. They constitute the foundations of a new mnemonic principle of adequacy of simulation dynamics, and open new perspectives for research and development of cognitive interventions aimed at improving memory efficiency, especially for elderly people with and without cognitive impairment
Pour une mĂ©moire re-crĂ©ative : comprĂ©hension du fonctionnement et induction des mĂ©canismes mnĂ©siques responsables de lâĂ©mergence des connaissances dans une approche incarnĂ©e et situĂ©e de la cognition
In some situations, it is crucial to be able to quickly and accurately access the memory of a specific experience, while in other situations it is more important to access general knowledge formed from multiple experiences. However, this knowledge, both specific and general, must be adapted to the situation in which it is required. Otherwise, the consequences can be disastrous (e.g., confusing an innocent person with the aggressor, confusing a toxic mushroom with an edible mushroom). The efficiency of memory must then be optimal in a large number of circumstances. The present thesis proposes to study the factors that influence memory efficiency. It focuses on the mechanisms underlying access to knowledge, and on the factors that influence these mechanisms. These mechanisms are considered to be either reproductive, (re)constructive, or re-creative. The present thesis work aims at justifying the interest of a re-creative conception of memory based on embodied and situated approaches and on multi-trace models, which postulate a dynamic emergence of knowledge from the mechanisms of a single memory system where knowledge is anchored in its essentially sensorimotor modal properties. This work focuses on the dynamics of the mechanisms responsible for the emergence of knowledge, otherwise known as sensorimotor simulation dynamics, which is assumed to be different according to the type of emerging knowledge. It is said to be specific when it leads to the re-creation of the type of neuronal state associated with a specific experience and the emergence of memories, and non-specific when it leads to the re-creation of the type of neuronal state associated with a category of similar experiences and the emergence of general knowledge. The defended hypothesis is that the simulation dynamics in a given situation could be influenced by the previous simulation dynamics in a recent situation, and differently depending on whether these dynamics are concordant or not. Four studies were conducted using an original induction paradigm, in which the prior administration of a task involving a specific dynamic (specific induction task) improves memory performance in a subsequent task involving a similar dynamic. The defended hypothesis was that the beneficial effect of induction came from a concordance of the simulation dynamics. Study 1 (ISE FR) allowed to translate and validate the specific induction paradigm into French. Study 2 (ISE DVN) tested and confirmed that the paradigm allowed to target the sensorimotor simulation by suppressing the beneficial effects of specific induction by presenting a dynamic visual mask during the recall of short video details. Study 3 (SIMS ISE) showed that specific induction reduced memory errors in situations where memory errors were most prevalent (i.e., when the distinctiveness of memory traces was low). Study 4 [(Mis)Match] showed effects of matching dynamics in a categorization task (non-specific task) and of mismatching dynamics in a spatial recall task (specific task), after a non-specific (categorical) induction. These results plead for the fundamental importance of simulation dynamics in the study of memory functioning. They constitute the foundations of a new mnemonic principle of adequacy of simulation dynamics, and open new perspectives for research and development of cognitive interventions aimed at improving memory efficiency, especially for elderly people with and without cognitive impairment.Dans certaines situations, il est crucial de pouvoir accĂ©der rapidement et avec exactitude au souvenir dâune expeÌrience speÌcifique, tandis que dans dâautres situations, il importe plus dâaccĂ©der aÌ une connaissance gĂ©nĂ©rale formĂ©e aÌ partir de multiples expĂ©riences. Ces connaissances, tant speÌcifiques que gĂ©nĂ©rales, doivent toutefois ĂȘtre adaptĂ©es aÌ la situation dans laquelle elles sont requises. Sinon, les consĂ©quences peuvent ĂȘtre dĂ©sastreuses (e.g., confondre une personne innocente avec lâagresseur, confondre un champignon toxique avec un champignon comestible). LâefficacitĂ© de la meÌmoire doit alors ĂȘtre optimale dans un grand nombre de circonstances. Le prĂ©sent travail de thĂšse propose dâĂ©tudier les facteurs qui influencent lâefficacitĂ© mnĂ©sique. Il porte sur les mĂ©canismes qui sous-tendent lâaccĂšs aux connaissances, et sur les facteurs qui influencent ces mĂ©canismes. Ces mĂ©canismes sont envisagĂ©s comme Ă©tant soit reproductifs, soit (re)constructifs, soit re-creÌatifs. Le prĂ©sent travail de thĂšse vise Ă justifier lâintĂ©rĂȘt dâune conception re-crĂ©ative de la meÌmoire fondĂ©e sur les approches incarnĂ©es et situĂ©es et sur les modĂšles aÌ traces multiples, qui postulent une Ă©mergence dynamique des connaissances aÌ partir des mĂ©canismes dâun unique systĂšme mnĂ©sique ouÌ les connaissances sont ancrĂ©es dans leurs propriĂ©tĂ©s modales essentiellement sensorimotrices. Ce travail met lâaccent sur la dynamique des mĂ©canismes responsables de lâĂ©mergence des connaissances, autrement appelĂ©e la dynamique de simulation sensorimotrice, qui est supposĂ©e ĂȘtre diffĂ©rente selon le type de connaissance Ă©mergente. Elle est dite speÌcifique lorsquâelle conduit Ă la re-creÌation de lâĂ©tat neuronal associeÌ aÌ une expeÌrience speÌcifique et aÌ lâĂ©mergence de souvenirs, et non-speÌcifique lorsquâelle conduit Ă la re-creÌation du type dâĂ©tat neuronal associeÌ aÌ une catĂ©gorie dâexpĂ©riences similaires et aÌ lâĂ©mergence de connaissance gĂ©nĂ©rales. LâhypothĂšse dĂ©fendue est que la dynamique de simulation dans une situation donnĂ©e pourrait ĂȘtre influencĂ©e par la dynamique de simulation antĂ©rieure dans une situation rĂ©cente, et diffĂ©remment selon si ces dynamiques sont concordantes ou non. Quatre Ă©tudes ont eÌteÌ conduites en utilisant un paradigme original dâinduction, dans lequel lâadministration prĂ©alable dâune taÌche impliquant une dynamique speÌcifique (taÌche dâinduction speÌcifique) amĂ©liore les performances mnĂ©siques dans une taÌche subsĂ©quente impliquant une dynamique similaire. LâhypothĂšse dĂ©fendue eÌtait que lâeffet bĂ©nĂ©fique dâinduction venait dâune concordance des dynamiques de simulation. LâEÌtude 1 (ISE FR) a permis de traduire et valider en Français le paradigme dâinduction speÌcifique. LâEÌtude 2 (ISE DVN) a testeÌ et confirmeÌ que le paradigme permettait bien de cibler la simulation sensori-motrice aÌ travers la suppression des effets bĂ©nĂ©fiques dâinduction speÌcifique par la preÌsentation dâun masque visuel dynamique pendant le rappel des deÌtails de courtes videÌos. LâEÌtude 3 (SIMS ISE) a permis dâengendrer grĂące Ă lâinduction speÌcifique une rĂ©duction des erreurs de meÌmoire dans les situations ouÌ celles-ci eÌtaient les plus nombreuses, (i.e., lorsque la distinctivitĂ© des traces mnĂ©siques Ă©tait faible). LâEÌtude 4 [(Mis)Match] a permis de montrer des effets de concordance des dynamiques dans une taÌche de catĂ©gorisation (taÌche non-speÌcifique) et de non-concordance des dynamiques dans une taÌche de rappel spatial (taÌche speÌcifique), aprĂšs une induction non-speÌcifique (catĂ©gorielle). Ces rĂ©sultats plaident pour lâimportance fondamentale de la dynamique de simulation dans lâeÌtude du fonctionnement mnĂ©sique. Ils constituent les fondations dâun nouveau principe mnĂ©sique dâadĂ©quation de la dynamique de simulation, et ouvrent de nouvelles perspectives de recherche et de dĂ©veloppement dâinterventions cognitives visant Ă amĂ©liorer lâefficacitĂ© mnĂ©sique, aÌ destination notamment des personnes ĂągĂ©es avec et sans trouble cognitif
Open your mindâs eye : sensorimotor simulation in episodic event construction
International audiencePast events are not frozen into memory. Instead, they canbe dynamically recombined to reconstruct them or, even,to imagine future events. Yet, very little is known abouthow event (re)construction is accomplished. From an embodied cognition perspective, we assessed whether event(re)construction occurs through the simulation/reactivation of sensorimotor properties of our past experiences.Young adults watched videos and received a specificity induction (an interview boosting the production of eventspecific details) or solved math problems. Then, they described their memories of the videos while simultaneouslyviewing an interfering stimulus (dynamic visual noise; DVN)or a control stimulus. As expected, viewing a DVN duringthe description task has decreased the number of videospecific details reported, but only after the specificity induction. These findings provide evidence that the specificity induction targets and facilitates the sensorimotor simulation mechanism, confirming the crucial involvement of such a mechanism in the constructive functioningof memory
AmĂ©lioration de la remĂ©moration des dĂ©tails dâun Ă©vĂšnement grĂące Ă lâInduction de SpĂ©cificitĂ© Ăpisodique : AmĂ©lioration de la simulation sensori-motrice ?
International audienc
Ăvaluer le dĂ©ficit dâintĂ©gration dans la schizophrĂ©nie sous lâangle des modĂšles de mĂ©moire Ă traces multiples : Ă©tude exploratoire
International audienc
The induction phenomenon or how to bias the sensorimotor simulation mechanism
International audienc
AmĂ©liorer la remĂ©moration dâĂ©vĂšnements autobiographiques et lâimagination dâĂ©vĂšnements futurs grĂące Ă lâInduction de SpĂ©cificitĂ© Ăpisodique : adaptation et validation en Français
International audienceLâInduction de SpĂ©cificitĂ© Ăpisodique (ISE) est un court entraĂźnement Ă la rĂ©cupĂ©ration des dĂ©tails dâune expĂ©rience permettant dâaugmenter la production de dĂ©tails Ă©pisodiques (internes) lors de la description subsĂ©quente dâun nouvel Ă©vĂ©nement. LâISE sâest avĂ©rĂ©e efficace pour diffĂ©rentes populations, dont les personnes ĂągĂ©es, et dans de nombreuses tĂąches (remĂ©moration, imagination, rĂ©solution de problĂšmesâŠ). Cependant, lâISE nâa pas encore Ă©tĂ© adaptĂ©e et validĂ©e en français. Cette Ă©tude propose de rĂ©aliser ce travail auprĂšs de jeunes adultes sans trouble cognitif. Les participants ont reçu une ISE ou une Induction ContrĂŽle (IC) avant une tĂąche de remĂ©moration et dâimagination. Les participants ont produit davantage de dĂ©tails internes et moins de dĂ©tails externes (sĂ©mantiques) aprĂšs lâISE quâaprĂšs lâIC aux deux tĂąches. Cette mĂ©thode permettrait dâĂ©tudier lâinfluence des processus Ă©pisodiques sur une tĂąche donnĂ©e, et dâenvisager le dĂ©veloppement dâun protocole de stimulation cognitive bĂ©nĂ©ficiant aux individus prĂ©sentant une spĂ©cificitĂ© rĂ©duite comme observĂ© pour les personnes ĂągĂ©es.Episodic Specificity Induction (ESI) â a brief training in recollecting details of a recent eventâincreases the production of episodic (internal) details in the subsequent description of a recalled or imagined event (i.e. memory or imagination tasks). The absence of a French adaptation and validation of the ESI does not currently allow French-speaking researchers to benefit from the theoretical and practical interests offered by this method. The present study proposes to carry out this work with young adults without cognitive impairment. Participants received the ESI or a control induction (CI) about details of a recently viewed videotape, prior to the memory and imagination tasks. They produced more internal details and fewer external (semantic) details after the ESI than after the CI, for both tasks. This method could allow to study the influence of episodic processes on a given task, and to inspire the development of a cognitive stimulation program
The induction phenomenon or how to bias the sensorimotor simulation mechanism
International audienc