Abstract
This study investigates whether inductive processes influencing spatial memory performance generalize to supervised learning scenarios with differential feedback. After providing a location memory response in a spatial recall task, participants received visual feedback showing the target location. In critical blocks, feedback was systematically biased either 4° toward the vertical axis (toward condition) or 4° farther away from the vertical axis (away condition). Results showed that the weaker teaching signal (i.e., a smaller difference between the remembered location and the feedback location) produced a stronger experience-dependent change over blocks in the away condition than in the toward condition. This violates delta rule learning. Subsequent simulations of the dynamic field theory of spatial cognition provide a theoretically unified account of these results.
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This research was supported in part by Grant NIMH-NRSA 5F31MH072133 awarded to J.L. and by Grants NSF-HSD 0527698 and NIH-RO1MH62480 awarded to J.P.S.
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Lipinski, J., Spencer, J.P. & Samuelson, L.K. Biased feedback in spatial recall yields a violation of delta rule learning. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review 17, 581–588 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3758/PBR.17.4.581
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/PBR.17.4.581