Memory for incidentally learned categories evolves in the post-learning interval.

ABSTRACT: Humans generate categories from complex regularities evolving across even imperfect sensory input. Here, we examined the possibility that incidental experiences can generate lasting category knowledge. Adults practiced a simple visuomotor task not dependent on acoustic input. Novel categories of acoustically complex sounds were not necessary for task success but aligned incidentally with distinct visuomotor responses in the task. Incidental sound category learning emerged robustly when within-category sound exemplar variability was closely yoked to visuomotor task demands and was not apparent in the initial session when this coupling was less robust. Nonetheless, incidentally acquired sound category knowledge was evident in both cases one day later, indicative of offline learning gains and

SUBMITTER: Gabay Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10101687 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature