Schema-based predictive eye movements support sequential memory encoding

Abstract
Data availability
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Abstract

When forming a memory of an experience that is unfolding over time, we can use our schematic knowledge about the world (constructed based on many prior episodes) to predict what will transpire. We developed a novel paradigm to study how the development of a complex schema influences predictive processes during perception and impacts sequential memory. Participants learned to play a novel board game ('4-in-a-row') across six training sessions, and repeatedly performed a memory test in which they watched and recalled sequences of moves from the game. We found that participants gradually became better at remembering sequences from the game as their schema developed, driven by improved accuracy for schema-consistent moves. Eye tracking revealed that increased predictive eye movements during encoding, which were most prevalent in expert players, were associated with better memory. Our results identify prediction as a mechanism by which schematic knowledge can improve episodic memory.

Data availability

All the data is openly available through https://osf.io/29cpg/

The following data sets were generated

(2022) Schema-based predictive eye movements support sequential memory encoding
DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/29CPG.

https://osf.io/29cpg/

Article and author information

Author details

Jiawen Huang

Columbia University, New York, United States

For correspondence
jh4290@columbia.edu

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0003-1362-0412
Isabel Velarde

Columbia University, New York, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0001-5639-0907
Wei Ji Ma

Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0002-9835-9083
Christopher Baldassano

Columbia University, New York, United States

Competing interests
The authors declare that no competing interests exist.

"This ORCID iD identifies the author of this article:" 0000-0003-3540-5019

Funding

Columbia University (Graduate Student Fellowship)

Jiawen Huang

Columbia University (start-up funding)

Christopher Baldassano

The funders had no role in study design, data collection and interpretation, or the decision to submit the work for publication.

Ethics

Human subjects: The experimental protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Columbia University. (AAAS0252) All participants were over 18 years of age with normal or corrected-to-normal vision, and gave informed consent.

Copyright

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License permitting unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.